Inspection
November 2008

VIRGINIA: Staunton restaurant inspections
30.nov.08
The News Leader
http://www.newsleader.com/article/20081130/NEWS01/811300324/1002/news01
Arby's, no. 5756, Staunton
Facility type: Fast-food restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Oct. 31
Critical violations: Unknown
Noncritical violations: Unknown
# Trays of grilled chicken were 61 and 53 degrees on top of the make table and were at improper cold-holding temperatures.
Level: Critical (corrected during inspection repeat)
Details: Relocate food to a refrigeration unit that is capable of maintaining food storage at 41 degrees or below. The manager immediately moved the pan of chicken trays to another unit for quick cooling.
# Plastic trays and stainless steel pans were stacked while wet following sanitizing.
Level: Noncritical (repeat)
Details: All items are to drain and air-dry before being stacking to permit evaporation of chemical sanitizer and moisture that may encourage microbial growth.
Comments: These good conditions and practices were observed: a certified food-safety manager was on duty; foods were procured from inspected sources; food handlers washed their hands and used barriers for handling ready-to-eat (RTE) foods; food contact surfaces were acceptable; sanitizer solution concentration was acceptable; RTE potentially hazardous foods were date marked; hot-holding temperatures were acceptable and Time as a Public Health Control was used properly. We discussed employee health policies such as management having a general understanding, plans to train employees further and storage of employee drinks and pest control.
Depot Grille, Staunton
Facility type: Full-service restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Nov. 5
Critical violations: Unknown
Noncritical violations: Unknown
# There was a spray bottle of cooking oil which was not labeled located to the right of the grill.
Level: Noncritical
Details: All food containers including spray bottles of cooking oil must be labeled.
# There was a knife with visible debris on it being stored in the crack between the right side of the steel steam table top and the steel table to the right of the steamtable.
Level: Critical (corrected during inspection)
Details: This knife was taken immediately to the mechanical dishwasher to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Utensils may not ever be stored in the cracks between tables and kitchen equipment because these areas are not easy to keep clean.
# The black storage tub which contains kitchen utensils located near the steam table unit had visible food debris in the bottom of it.
Level: Noncritical
Details: The inside of the storage tub and all of the utensils in the storage tub need to be washed, rinse and sanitized before further use.
# There were two ceiling light bulbs missing safety covers in the area of the kitchen where the three compartment sink and the mechanical dishwasher are located.
Level: Noncritical (repeat)
Details: All lighting in kitchen and food prep areas need to be shielded.
# There were several floor tiles which had come loose in the area of the kitchen floor between the three compartment sink and the mechanical dishwasher.
Level: Noncritical
Details: These repairs need to be taken care of.
# There was an accumulation of visible dust surrounding the conduits along the length of the kitchen along the front kitchen wall near the ceiling.
Level: Noncritical (repeat)
Details: This dust needs to be carefully removed. This area needs to be put on a more frequent cleaning schedule.
Comments: Handwashing and dishwashing facilities were being maintained correctly. No food temperature problems were observed.
L'Italia, Staunton
Facility type: Full-service restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Nov. 7
Critical violations: 1
Noncritical violations: 2
# The hose being used near the mechanical dishwasher with the sprayer attached had duct tape around it.
Level: Noncritical
Details: The duct tape introduces rough surfaces which were not cleanable at the bacterial level. Only smooth easily cleanable materials may be used. If this hose is leaking it should be replaced with a new hose.
# The handwashing sink that is located to the right of the three-compartment sink was blocked off by non-food and employee personal items on the floor in front of the handsink.
Level: Critical (corrected during inspection)
Details: Both of the two kitchen handwashing sinks must be unobstructed and easily available for use at all times. This violation was immediately corrected by the establishment management.
# There was a rough area in the wall to the right of the cold food prep bar in the grill area.
Level: Noncritical
Details: We require that all areas of the walls in the kitchen be maintained so that they are smooth and easy to keep clean. This wall area needs to be repaired.
Comments: None
Beverley Restaurant, Staunton
Facility type: Full-service restaurant
Inspection type: Follow-up
Inspection date: Nov. 7
Critical violations: 0
Noncritical violations: 0
# No violations were found during the inspection
Comments: All violations from the previous inspection had been corrected. The dish machine sanitizer solution was acceptable and the concentration was checked each morning by the staff. Food contact surfaces of the potato slicer that had been soiled after use and were clean.

VIRGINIA: Waynesboro restaurant inspections
27.nov.08
The News Leader
http://www.newsleader.com/article/20081127/NEWS01/811270304
Target Store, no. T-2294, Waynesboro
Facility type: Fast-food restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Nov. 14
Critical violations: 0
Noncritical violations: 1
# The plastic single-use spoons and knives which were not individually wrapped in the customer self-serve area next to the front customer counter on the pizza hut side had their handles pointing in both orientations.
Level: Noncritical (corrected during inspection)
Details: All of the handles need to be pointing up in the storage container so that if a customer reaches in to get a utensil they will not accidentally touch the eating surface of another utensil. We recommend that individually wrapped utensils be used in the customer self-serve areas instead of the
Comments: None
Ruby Tuesday, no. 4882
Facility type: Full-service restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Nov. 14
Critical violations: 1
Noncritical violations: 1
# The ice scoop associated with the ice machine in the kitchen was sitting directly on top of the ice machine.
Level: Noncritical (repeat)
Details: The ice scoop must be stored on a smooth cleanable plate or tray if it is to be stored on top of the ice machine. We do not allow the ice scoop to be indirect contact with the top of the ice machine because this surface is above the entrance door to the ice bin and it is therefore not an easy surface to clean due to the risk potential of dripping.
# There was a spray bottle of glass cleaner stored right next to a bulk salt container, and right next to packets of sweeteners in a basket on the bottom shelf of the prep table next to the handwashing sink near the mechanical dishwasher area.
Level: Critical (corrected during inspection)
Details: Cleaners and santizers must always be stored below and well segregated from all foods and food contact items. This violation was immediately corrected by the establishment management.
Comments: None
Ed's Grill and Restaurant, Waynesboro
Facility type: Full-service restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Nov. 17
Critical violations: 0
Noncritical violations: 3
# The spoons/utensils which were being used to scoop BBQ and whipped potatoes from the pots in the warmer/food holding unit were being stored in water not running water-there is no dipper well between uses.
Level: Noncritical
Details: These spoons/utensils need to be stored by placing them on a smooth cleanable plate-not in water-between uses. And the plate and the utensils need to be washed, rinsed and sanitized and air dried, at least every four hours or exchanged for clean dry utensils and a clean dry plate at least every four hours.
# The 0 to 220 degree metal stemmed thermometer that we require to be on site at all times for monitoring internal temperatures of cold and hot foods could not be located.
Level: Noncritical
Details: A new 0 to 220 F metal stemmed thermometer needs to be purchased unless the old one can be located before the restaurant opens tomorrow morning. All personnel need to know where this thermometer is located.
# The hot water was not working at the handwashing sink in the men's restroom.
Level: Noncritical
Details: We require that all handwashing sinks have hot and cold water running water at all times operated from the handles above the hand sink basin. The repair needs to be completed as soon as possible.
Comments: None

ALBERTA: Dirty eatery rapped
26.nov.08
Edmonton Sun
Alyssa Noel
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/11/26/7537756-sun.html
Smitty's restaurant at Mill Woods Town Centre was ordered to close Monday after an environmental officer discovered mouse droppings in its kitchen during an unannounced inspection.
The restaurant remained shut down for about 24 hours while management rectified the problem. It reopened yesterday.
An Alberta Health Services officer documented mouse feces in a potato bin, on cans of food and piled in the corner of the kitchen.
A closure order issued to management described an overall filthy kitchen.
Food equipment wasn't properly sanitized, perishable food wasn't stored at a proper temperature, grease dripped from vents onto the floor and walls were splattered with food debris, it said.
Surveying the inspector's photos might make some wonder how kitchen staff prepared food in such an environment, said Nyall Hislop, supervisor for the health services' safe food program.

TEXAS: Restaurant monitor
26.nov.08
Bryan College Station Eagle
http://www.theeagle.com/Food/Restaurant-Monitor2008-11-25T22-33-07
The Restaurant Monitor is a weekly listing of scores for restaurants inspected by the Brazos County Health Department.
Inspection scores are on a 100-point scale. Generally, scores below 80 might cause the department to schedule a follow-up visit. Scores in the 60s and below would cause the department to consider closing an establishment temporarily for health reasons.
The following is a list of inspections from Nov. 12 to 20.
BRYAN
Brazos Valley Community Action, 3400 S. Texas Ave. -- 96. Cross-contamination of raw/cooked foods/other.
Casa Ole #57, 3201 Freedom Blvd. -- 94. Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair; thermometers not provided/accurate/properly calibrated.
Dollar General Store #3655, 211 N. Main St. -- 100.
E-Z Corner Mart, 1296 N. Harvey Mitchell Parkway -- 80. Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair; unapproved source/labeling; water -- unapproved source/sufficient capacity/lack of hot/cold; hand-wash facilities without soap and/or towels; thermometers not provided/accurate/properly calibrated; toxic items improperly labeled/stored/used.
Frank's Country Store, 6497 F.M. 1179 -- 97. Hand-wash facilities without soap and/or towels.
Jose's Restaurant, 3824 S. Texas Ave. -- 86. Cross-contamination of raw/cooked foods/other; unapproved systems (hazard control plans); thermometers not provided/accurate/properly calibrated; food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair.
McDonald's #4585, 825 Villa Maria Road -- 82. Lack of good hygienic practices (eating/drinking/smoking/other); improper handling of ready-to-eat foods; cross-contamination of raw/cooked foods/other; evidence of insect contamination; food establishment permit (lacking/not available/not conspicuous).
Must Be Heaven, 1136 E. Villa Maria Road -- 97. Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair.
Taqueria La Perla, 111 N. Bryan Ave. -- 81. Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair; thermometers not provided/accurate/properly calibrated; unapproved systems (hazard control plans); cross-contamination of raw/cooked foods/other; cold-hold temperature violation(s) (41 F/45 F).
Taqueria Puro Potosino II, 308 E. Martin Luther King Jr. St. -- 71. Unapproved systems (hazard control plans); hand-wash facilities without soap and/or towels; no certified food manager/demonstration of knowledge; hot-hold temperature violation(s) (135 F); hand-wash facilities not adequate and accessible; cross-contamination of raw/cooked foods/other; thermometers not provided/accurate/properly calibrated; lack of good hygienic practices (eating/drinking/smoking/other).
COLLEGE STATION
41st Club, Bush Library -- 100.
Cenare, 404 University Drive -- 100.
Chuck E. Cheese, 1500 Harvey Road #5002 -- 94. Toxic items improperly labeled/stored/used; hand-wash facilities not adequate and accessible.
EZ Stop, 1401 Harvey Road -- Permit suspended. Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair; cold-hold temperature violation(s) (41 F/45 F); improper handling of ready-to-eat foods; water -- unapproved source/sufficient capacity/lack of hot/cold; evidence of insect contamination; equipment not adequate to maintain product temperature.
Fox and Hound Sports Bar & Grill, 505 University Drive, Suite 309 -- 75. Improper manual/mechanical ware-washing and sanitizing; cold-hold temperature violation(s) (41 F/45 F); improper handling of ready-to-eat foods; toxic items improperly labeled/stored/used; thermometers not provided/accurate/properly calibrated; food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair; unapproved systems (hazard control plans).
Hampton Inn, 320 Texas Ave. -- 100.
Hickory Farms #16774, 1500 Harvey Road -- 100.
Koppe Bridge Bar & Grill, 3940 Harvey Road -- 87. Equipment not adequate to maintain product temperature; food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair; unsound condition; thermometers not provided/accurate/properly calibrated.
Kroger #997, 2412 Texas Ave. -- 84. Water -- unapproved source/sufficient capacity/lack of hot/cold; lack of good hygienic practices (eating/drinking/smoking/other); cold-hold temperature violation(s) (41 F/45 F); evidence of insect contamination.
Presidential Conference Center Catering--Bush Library, 97 -- Toxic items improperly labeled/stored/used.
Reed Arena Kitchen -- Permit suspended. Evidence of rodents/other animals; hand-wash facilities without soap and/or towels; food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils not cleaned/sanitized/good repair; unapproved sewage/wastewater disposal system, improper disposal; water -- unapproved source/sufficient capacity/lack of hot/cold; cross-contamination of raw/cooked foods/other; lack of good hygienic practices (eating/drinking/smoking/other); toxic items improperly labeled/stored/used.
TAMU Concessions Reed Arena/Tennis, Olsen Blvd. -- 100.
UG Food Court -- Columbo & Beverage, Ross St. -- 100.
UG Food Court -- Sewrappe & Kitchen, Ross St. -- 100.
UG Food Court -- The Other Burger, Ross St. -- 100.
V Bar, 110 College Main -- 100.

ARKANSAS: Restaurant inspections
24.nov.08
Northwest Arkansas Times
http://nwanews.com/nwat/News/71450/
Information is from Arkansas Department of Health records. Restaurants are listed in order of inspection date. All reports are from regular food service/food store inspections unless otherwise noted.
• Critical violations are defined as items that relate directly to factors that lead to food-borne illness, and must be corrected immediately.
• Non-critical violations are defined as items that relate to maintenance of food operations and cleanliness.
The following establishments were inspected Oct. 24 through Nov. 3 and had no violations reported:
Amigo Market, 608 Caudle Ave., Springdale.
Busy Bee's, 112 Southwinds, Suite 2, Farmington.
EZ Mart #433, 4026 Wedington Drive, Fayetteville.
George Elementary School, 2878 Powell St., Springdale.
George Junior High School, 3200 Powell St., Springdale.
Harp Elementary School, 2700 Butterfield Coach Road, Springdale.
Infant Development Center, 536 N. Leverett, Fayetteville.
J.B. Hunt Elementary, 3511 Silent Grove Road, Springdale.
Joe's Market, 622 Park St., Springdale.
Kum & Go #384, 2351 W. Sunset Ave., Springdale.
La Original Los Cuatros, 224 Caudle Ave., Springdale.
Lee School, 400 Quandt Ave., Springdale.
Monitor Elementary School, 3955 Monitor Road, Springdale.
Northwest Arkansas Center for Children, 2466 S. 48th St., Springdale.
Penguin Ed's BBQ West, 6437 Wedington Drive, Fayetteville.
Pop's Xpress, 1275 E. Robinson Ave., Springdale.
Thurman G. Smith Elementary, 3600 Falcon Road, Springdale.
Village Market, 2103 S. Powell St., Springdale. Waffle Hut, 2223 W. Sunset Ave., Springdale.
Walgreens #7847, 525 S. School Ave., Fayetteville.
Wilma's Restaurant, 481 S. School Ave., Fayetteville.
Zaxby's, 400 S. Thompson, Springdale.
Oct. 23
Mama Dean's Soul Food
1701 S. School Ave., Fayetteville
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: bulk containers need to be labeled.
Stout's Homestyle Country Store
121 S. Elm St., Elm Springs
Critical violations include: hot foods need to be held at 135 degrees or above.
No non-critical violations noted.
Thep Thai Restaurant
1525 S. School Ave., Fayetteville
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: bulk containers need to be labeled with the name of their contents; back door may not be left open; hand-washing sink must only be used for hand washing.
Oct. 24
El Ultimo Taco
1820 W. Huntsville, Springdale
Critical violations include: raw meat cannot be stored above ready-toeat food (corrected).
No non-critical violations noted.
Patrick N Out
40th and Elm Springs Road, Springdale
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: hamburger in refrigerator must be covered; hand-washing sink may only be used for hand washing.
Morrow Country Store
17152 Hale Mountain Road, Morrow
Critical violations include: all spray bottles must be labeled with name of contents.
No non-critical violations noted.
Oct. 27
Art's Place
2530 N. College Ave., Fayetteville
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: seal raw wood wall in men's room; clean bulk ice scoop storage tray; clean walk-in refrigerator floor; frozen meats shall be thawed in refrigerator (corrected ); food employees' hands shall be washed at hand-wash sink only, not 3-compartment sink; written hand-washing policy required for food employees to have bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods; food employees require hair restraints.
UARK Ballroom
644 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: post handwash signage at handsink and provide soap during operation.
EZ Mart #102
34085 S. School Ave., Fayetteville
Critical violations include: keep hoses out of sink or install backflow device.
Non-critical violations include: ledge on inside of ice machine requires cleaning; invert forks so customer does not touch eating part.
Little Elks Academy
2085 N. Center St., Elkins
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: clean/sanitize bottom shelf of pot/pan storage cabinet.
Super Foods
36 Main St., West Fork
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: keep outside trash bin closed, clean trash and garbage up around trash bin; keep food at least 6"off floor; paper towels needed in public restroom.
Teen Challenge Ranch
19778 Boys Home Road, Morrow
Critical violations include: spray bottles must be labeled with name of contents.
No non-critical violations noted.
Tumbles Daycare
365 McKnight, West Fork
Critical violations include: cabinet under sink that contains chemicals must have a lock on it.
No non-critical violations noted.
Oct. 28
Carniceria El Ray Produce
1501 A W. Sunset Ave., Springdale
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: bulk foods that are bagged require a label.
El Norteno Restaurant
1501 W. Sunset Ave., Springdale
No critical violations noted.
Non-critical violations include: manual can opener requires cleaning; bulk ice scoop must be stored on a clean surface (corrected); written hand-washing policy required for food employees to handle ready-to-eat foods with bare hands.
Super Mercado La Michocana
812 N. Thompson, Suite 1, Springdale
Critical violations include: containers must not be stored in hand-wash sink (corrected); need proper date marking on meat stored in walk-in cooler, also with labels.
Non-critical violations include: threshold on back door needs repaired to prevent insects or rodents from entering inside kitchen and store area; keep food contact surface clean and sanitized often during meat cutting between uses; food in walk-in cooler and freezer need to be labeled for identification; keep food boxes in walk-in freezer off floor (corrected).

OHIO: Restaurant inspection report
24.nov.08
Newark Advocate
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20081124/NEWS01/811240308
# The Links at Echo Springs, Nov. 10, 5940 Loudon Street Road, Johnstown, standard inspection with violation. 1. Test strips need for chlorine sanitizer for three-bay sink.
# Crayons and Colors Early Learning Center, Nov. 10, 1066 Johnstown-Utica Road, Homer, 30-day inspection, no violations.
# Northridge-Alexandria Elementary School, Nov. 10, College St., Alexandria, follow-up inspection with violation. 1. Hole in wooden part of screen door yet to be repaired.
# Cappy Joe's Pizza, Nov. 10, 14950 E. Broad St., Pataskala, follow-up inspection with violation. 1. Green display cooler still out of required temperature range.
# Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, Nov. 12, 967 Hebron Road, Heath, follow-up inspection, no violations.
# Carnival Foods, Nov. 12, 963 Hebron Road, Heath, complaint inspection, no violations.
# Yummy Chinese and Japanese Restaurant, Nov. 12, 620 E. Main St., Hebron, follow-up inspection with violation. 1. Drain line for ice machine is below floor at floor drain.
# Brenda Sue's Country Fixins, Nov. 10, 5227 National Road, Hebron, 30-day inspection with violations. 1. Wrong test strips for quat ammonia based sanitizer. 2. Metal stem thermometer not working properly. 3. Washing equipment and utensils in middle sink of three-bay sink. 4. No hot water in the facility. 5. Provide soap by hand sink in the kitchen. 6. No paper towels in the women's restroom.
# The Winery at Otter Creek, Nov. 12, 5291 Beenington Chapel Road, Johnstown, standard inspection, no violations.
# Stone Brothers Pizza, Nov. 13, 237 Central Ave., Utica, standard inspection with violations. 1. Door seals/gaskets on Ractone freezer and Delfield cooler are torn. 2. There is no lid on trash container in women's restroom. 3. One lid is missing on Dumpster. 4. Pepperoni in the walk-in refrigerator was held at 46.8 degrees.
# Nick's Village Pizza, Nov. 13, 62 S. Main St., Utica, standard inspection with violations. 1. Door seal on reach-in Beverage Air cooler is torn. 2. Commode will not flush in employee restroom. 3. No lid on trash container in the employee restroom.
# Hometown Market, Nov. 13, 322 S. Main St., Utica, standard inspection with violations. 1. Shelves in the walk-in cooler are dirty. 2. Similac formula is out of date. 3. Lights over three-bay sink have no covers. 4. One light bulb burnt out in walk-in cooler. 5. Ice on the floor in the walk-in freezer. 6. No lid on trash container in women's restroom. 7. Cardboard on shelves in the deli-produce walk-in cooler.
# Watts Restaurant, Nov. 13, 77 S. Main St., Utica, standard inspection, no violations.
# Mama Marie's, Nov. 13, 49 S. Main St., Utica, standard inspection, no violations.
# Pioneer Restaurant, Nov. 17, 500 W. Columbus Road, Utica, standard inspection with violations. 1. Interior of ice machine has lime build up. 2. Shelves in walk-in cooler have build up. 3. Sides of fryer and oven have grease build up and food particles.
# Ponderosa Steakhouse, Nov. 17, 828 Hebron Road, Heath, follow up inspection with violations. 1. Vent filter is missing for vent hood. 2. Floor in the kitchen has food particles. 3. Floors in walk-in freezer and cooler have food particles and dirt. 4. Door seals/gaskets on McCall cooler is torn. 5. Ice scoop container for ice machine is dirty. 6. Flushing unit for commode in men's restroom leaks. 7. Floor under fryers and oven has food particles and grease.
Compiled from official reports.

NEW YORK: Restaurant inspections: Are they fair?
23.nov.08
Times Herald-Record
Matt King
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081123/NEWS/811230317
When restaurant owners get slapped with negative health inspections, they often complain the reports are unfair and inconsistent. In Orange County, they have a point.
A Times Herald-Record analysis of nearly three years of county inspection records revealed a wide disparity in how inspectors enforce state health codes.
The records suggest that health inspections are often based as much on the whims of the inspectors as on the conditions of the restaurants.
Further, the analysis raises public-health questions about the quality and oversight of the restaurant-inspection process and whether consumers can rely on the inspections as a guide to which Orange County eateries are clean and safe.
Among the Record's findings:
# Inspector Michael Gauthier regularly gives passing grades to eateries considered by other inspectors to be grievous violators, and almost never cites restaurants for the most dangerous infractions, like storing foods at temperatures that could make diners sick.
# Inspector Alan Kalleberg handed out more than half the citations for the most dangerous infractions between January 2006 and August 2008, finding problems where nearly every other inspector found none.
"It's very serious from a public-confidence perspective, but also from a public-health perspective," said Russ Haven, a lawyer with New York Public Interest Research Group, a watchdog and consumer advocacy organization. "It may deter people from eating in restaurants in the county. It's also unfair to businesses because, depending on who you draw on a particular day, you could end up with a pass or a fine."
County health officials acknowledge problems with at least one employee but say inspectors do an outstanding job.

ARIZONA: El Minuto fails health inspection; manager calls inspectors vindictive
22.nov.08
Arizona Daily Star
Josh Brodesky
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/268381
Roaches, dirty utensils and a worker handling food with bare hands are some of the lowlights of a failed health inspection report for El Minuto Cafe.
The Downtown establishment failed its food-safety evaluation Thursday after health inspectors found numerous violations. Terry Shaar, manager of the longtime eatery, denied the violations, saying inspectors were "nitpicking" the restaurant.
El Minuto, 354 S. Main Ave., was most recently inspected on Oct. 29, when it received the passing grade of "Good," which included some violations. But health inspectors returned to the restaurant Thursday after a woman complained to the Pima County Health Department that she got sick after eating at El Minuto.
Inspectors found numerous repeat offenses like the need for a hand-washing facility near food-preparation sites, dirty utensils, and prepared foods that had no dates on them, including a pot of menudo, cooked beef and several containers of beans.
But inspectors also saw a worker "use bare hands to contact food ready to eat." When looking in a cabinet, the inspectors found "several dead roaches" and spotted three live ones.
Meanwhile several spoons and ladles in what was supposed to be a clean utensil bin beneath the cook line were "soiled" with crumbs and other debris, the report says.
Shaar characterized the report as vindictive.
"I really believe that, and they were nitpicking. You can look up the Oct. 29 inspection and none of this is on there," she said. "They were here for four hours because they couldn't find nothing wrong."
Health Department spokeswoman Patti Woodcock stood by the report, noting there were three county staffers at the restaurant: the original inspector, a supervisor and a trainee.

ALBERTA: Alta. restaurant inspection reports online
21.nov.08
Prairie Post
Gail Jansen
http://www.prairiepost.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3175&Itemid=26
Alberta -- Everywhere that food is served, be it in a restaurant, a school cafeteria or a hockey arena concession, a food-licensing permit must be issued by Alberta Health and Wellness Inspectors.
To get and keep that permit each institution is relegated to a rigorous inspection process including a pre-inspection before the permit is issued, a series of monitoring inspection every four to six months thereafter, and re-inspections if non-compliance with a regulation or a consumer complaint warrants it.
In a new initiative by Alberta Health and Wellness, those inspections are now posted online for all to see.
Says Howard May, with Alberta Health and Wellness, “In the interest of transparency and providing the public with information that can pertain to their health and safety, we thought it to be a good way to keep the public informed.”
While May admits there was some resistance from restaurateurs initially, they ultimately felt posting the reports online was the best way to serve public safety.
As for the restaurateurs themselves, says Ryan Enevold of the Boston Pizza Franchise in Brooks, “I love it. It keeps us on our toes. Everybody needs check and balances in place to ensure that they adhere to the government regulations that are already in existence.”
For Enevold, who says as a national franchise he is subject to even more intense scrutiny through additional inspections from their corporate headquarters, for them the online inspections create an even playing field with those who are less intensely regulated as independents.
“We get inspectors coming from Vancouver every three months, in addition to our government inspections,” says Enevold. “With independent operators now subject to public scrutiny as well as the regular government inspectors, it gives them an extra level to experience those checks and balances.”
As for Enevold himself, he says checking online before heading out to a restaurant for a meal isn’t something that he would necessarily do.
“Personally, I don’t find the need to check out the places I frequent before going there. Pretty much, as soon as you walk into a place, you know whether or not you want to eat there.”
Despite the unified presentation of restaurant inspections that can be found on the Alberta Health and Wellness website, each health region independently was allowed to design the format for posting their inspections online.
“Each region was given a basic premise which they needed to meet in their disclosure,” says Brian Dalshaug, Program Director of Environment Public Health, Chinook Region. “After that it was up to each region to decide whether or not to expand on that.”
When you visit the different regions websites, you can see in comparison to some of the other sites, the Chinook region decided to do just that.
“We had some really good web designers,” says Dalshaug of his graphic-oriented site. ‘We looked around at other similar sites throughout North America and came up with our current design which we think is very user-friendly. It’s clear and concise and lets the public know at a glance how an establishment measures up.”
Dalshaug is hoping their site stands to educate the public two-fold, first as to how a restaurant has fared on their inspections, and secondly as to how the inspection process occurs, and what inspectors are doing when they visit an establishment.
“We think there is an educational component to this site as well, helping the public gain a better understanding of what it is our inspectors do.”
As to whether or not the public needs to visit the site before heading out to eat, Dalshaug says, “I take it on good faith, that if a restaurant is open and running in our region, then our inspectors have deemed it to be safe.”

MARYLAND: Dirty dining: Are health departments holding up their end of the bargain
21.nov.08
WMAR-TV
Joce Sterman
http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=c279ab36-dcfb-4f36-9b6f-d2e068cfa5f4
When it comes to your safety, does the county or city where you dine make a difference? It's the question we're trying to answer in an ABC2 News Investigation, finding out how often checks are made on the places that serve you. Investigator Joce Sterman broke down hundreds of restaurant reports to find the answer.
Week after week, we've taken you into restaurants around the region, inviting ourselves into their kitchens to show you what's really happening inside. But now we're going one step further, digging in to get the dirt on how often the eateries you enjoy are actually examined and if they deserve an "A" for their efforts. The reason for our efforts?? Caroline Smith DeWall with the Center for Science in the Public Interest says, "Today, the public really doesn't know how often restaurants are being inspected."
But we think that’s something you should know, so we're putting hundreds of restaurant inspection reports to work for you. Our goal is to give you a report card on the health department where you live. To do that we picked 100 restaurants at random from each of the four jurisdictions we've already covered in our Dirty Dining series. We pulled two years worth of records for each one and went through thousands of inspection reports to see who's doing a good job of protecting your health.
And what we found is that’s a tough question to answer. Here’s what we found. Harford and Anne Arundel counties came out on top when it came to total inspections. Inspectors in those two counties each made 677 visits over the two-year period we checked. On average, that means their restaurants got 3.4 inspections a year, more than what's required by Maryland's food code. But our investigation revealed the two jurisdictions with the most restaurants fell below those state requirements. Baltimore City's dining spots got a total of 431 visits during the two-year span. That’s an average of 2.1 inspections per year. Baltimore County was even lower with a total of 371 visits, an average of 1.85 visits per year.
On the flipside, the county and city had more restaurant closures. Baltimore County had a total of 19 closures within the records we checked. Baltimore City had 12 closures while Anne Arundel County had two and Harford County had none. And that got us wondering, does the difference mean one area is safer than another?
We decided to ask Alan Taylor, the director of the state’s Office of Food Protection. He says, “No, I don't want to say that because you have to look at each individual inspection and each individual violation in each inspection.” We took our findings to Taylor to get a better understanding of why health departments ultimately governed by the same food code could have such different results. He says the state health department does all it can to standardize the inspection process by training local inspectors to follow state guidelines. But in the end, jurisdictions have to develop their own protocols because some have more stringent codes and their inspectors often have different responsibilities. In some jurisdictions inspectors handle everything from restaurant inspections to housing and sewer issues. Taylor tells ABC2, "The mere fact is that you have different people doing the same thing. They're not robots, they're not machines. We're trying to make sure that everybody looks at the same things all the time."
And in Maryland, that means monitoring every restaurant for critical control points. Those points include monitoring things like food temperature and potential contamination to make sure problems are recorded and corrected. But the Center for Science in the Public Interest doesn’t believe that’s enough. Caroline Smith DeWall says, "It's critically important that there be more public accountability in this process."
The CSPI has done a dirty dining study of its own, determining there's a need for restaurant grades that give you the information you need right at the door, instead of sending you searching. The group feels letter grades can have a real impact on restaurant food safety. They point to success in Los Angeles, where the addition of a grading system resulted in a drop in emergency room visits related to food borne illness. DeWall Smith says, "It means restaurants can't just get by with an inspection that will keep them open. They're going to strive to have the very best inspection and get an A."
But as our investigation uncovered, making the grade when it comes to those inspections depends on a lot of factors. Still, outbreak numbers are low and state officials say that's the real sign of results. Taylor says, "When you think about the millions of meals served every day in this state and how many people don't get sick. It's amazing."

CALIFORNIA: Food Inspections Oct. 6 - Nov. 14
21.nov.08
Times-Delta
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20081121/BUSINESS/811210325
Every Friday, the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register publish, in print and online, reports of inspections at locations where food is prepared or sold. The inspections are performed by the Tulare County Department of Environmental Health Services. The score is based on a point system that rates 97-100 as excellent, 88-96 as good, 76-87 as poor. Below 76 is failing and usually requires, as noted, immediate correction of deficiencies or, in some cases, closure. Some violations are considered major, others minor. Comments listed are for major violations.
Online
The Times-Delta and Advance-Register Web sites contain a searchable database, updated weekly, with all reports back to October 2006. Go to www.VisaliaTimesDelta.com or www.TulareAdvanceRegister.com, click News, then Databases, then Tulare County Restaurant Inspections.
How to make a complaint
Complaint forms are available at the Environmental Health Services office, second floor, Tulare County Government Plaza, 5957 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia. Call 733-6441.
Name Address Date Score
Terra Bella
Birrieria El Corral 9190 Road 236 11/06/2008 92
Observed employee using cloth towel to dry hands. No paper towels available. Stock all hand-wash stations to assure proper handwashing. Only single-use paper towels allowed for drying hands.
Carniceria Los Cuates 9190 Road 236 11/06/2008 96
Stock all soap, paper towel dispenser to assure proper handwashing.
Sabroso Restaurant 9156 Road 236 No. D 11/06/2008 92
Observed handsink inside food preparation area without paper towels. No hot water available in women's restroom (repeat violation). Stock all units/stations with soap, paper towels and hot water during operation.
Tulare
Cross Street Chevron 115 E. Cross 11/12/2008 88
Food handler's certificate not available at time of inspection. Maintain certificate so it is available at all times. Temperature of the hot holding case in back of unit measured 126-129 degrees. Inadequate. Maintain product temperature at 135 degrees and above.
Doherty's 280 S. K St. 11/13/2008 96
Two bottles of liquor were observed adulterated with fruit flies. Maintain food unadulterated.
Don Pancho Villa Tacos 250 E. Cross 11/12/2008 94
El Charrito 1066 E. Rankin Ave. 11/04/2008 N/A
Reinspection regarding violations noted on 10/23/08 report. Correct remaining items. Adjust internal temperature of walk-in cooler so it measures at or below 41 degrees. Unit measured 50 degrees. Replace missing wall-mounted soap and towel dispensers at the employee hand-wash sink. Replace missing thermometer in walk-in cooler.
Heritage Elementary 895 Gail St. 11/13/2008 98
No one is certified for food safety.
Jean Jean Chinese 72 N. Tower Square 11/05/2008 86
Employee hand-wash sink was inaccessible due to using sink in food preparation. Discontinue this practice. Sink shall be used only for handwashing purposes and accessible at all times. A container of cooked shrimp was observed on storage rack in kitchen. Produce was taken out of refrigerator during lunch time. Maintain cooked refrigerated product in cooler until ready to be used. 15 dozen eggs were observed at room temperature. Product was delivered to facility the day before. See VC & D form.
McDonald's 108 E. Cross Ave. 11/12/2008 95
Interior temperature for cooler measured 45-47 degrees. Cooked eggs, salads and yogurt. Maintain product temperature at 41 degrees and below.
Nielsen's Restaurant 137 S. M St. 11/13/2008 97
Plastic detergent containers were observed being used for food storage. Discontinue this practice. Use food-grade containers for storage purpose. See VC & D Form.
Palace Food Depot 115 S. West St. 11/05/2008 89
Soap dispensers were empty at employee hand-wash sinks. Provide and maintain adequate supply of soap dispensers.
Sol y Luna 1066 E. Rankin Ave. 11/13/2008 N/A Purpose of this visit was to conduct a reinspection. Temperature of walk-in cooler measured 37 degrees-Good. Correct remaining items: 1. Install towel dispenser in employee restroom; 2. Install soap dispenser at employee hand-wash sink.
Taqueria Flores 941 S. K St. 11/04/2008 95
Food handler's certificate not on premises. Maintain original certificate on premises. Wall-mounted soap and towel dispensers missing from employee hand-wash/ three-compartment sink. Install these dispensers.
Taqueria Guadalajara 700 W. Inyo Ave. 11/04/2008 91
Following products were observed cooling in large containers located in the walk-in cooler: Pork, 50-64 degrees, and pinto beans, 43-61 degrees. According to the manager, those products were in the cooler longer than 6 hours. Discontinue practice of using large containers to cool potentially hazardous foods. Use shallow containers with depth of food not exceeding 4 inches.
Taqueria Mi Ranchito 100 N. Tower Square 11/05/2008 93
Soap dispenser empty at employee hand-wash sink. Provide and maintain adequate supply of soap dispenser.
Vejar's 533 E. Cross Ave. 11/12/2008 93
No chlorine sanitizer observed during final rinse cycle of dish machine. Make necessary repairs or adjustments to unit so it dispenses minimum of 50 ppm during final rinse cycle. All food-related equipment must be sanitized in three-compartment sink following the dish machine until unit is repaired. A reinspection will be conducted.
Vejar's 533 E. Cross Ave. 11/13/2008 N/A
Purpose of this visit was to conduct a reinspection regarding malfunctioning dish machine. This unit was adjusted and is now dispensing 50-100 ppm chlorine during the final reinspection.
West Tulare Food Mart 1414 W. Tulare Ave. 11/05/2008 92
Soap dispenser empty at employee hand-wash sink. Provide and maintain adequate supply of soap in dispenser.
Visalia
All Pro Pizza 1104 N. Ben Maddox 11/14/2008 98
Ben Maddox Git 'N Go 1122 N. Ben Maddox 11/14/2008 88
Observed no access to hand-wash station and no paper towels. At all times have hand-wash sink easily accessible to wash hands and stocked with soap and paper towels. Noted food contact surfaces unclean with food debris and/or dust, such as food prep. counters, ice machine, shelvings, prepackaged for products. Also, no sanitizer solution provided. Prepare a 1-gallon of water per tablespoon of chlorine solution. Shall be measuring 100 ppm. Purchase chlorine test strips.
Big Bubba's Bad Barbecue 6100 S. Mooney 11/12/2008 N/A
Reinspection from 10/23/08. All violations corrected except for: Rear storeroom shelving scheduled to be painted Thanksgiving Day, 11/27/08.
Coldstone Creamery 4128 S. Mooney Blvd. 11/06/2008 97
Hot water measured 110 degrees at 3-compartment sink. Adjust hot water heater thermostat making sure minimum temperature is 120 degrees.
El Burrito Loco 1424 Ben Maddox 11/14/2008 97
No hot water at restroom hand-wash station. Provide hot water. Turn hot water heater knob until hot water measures minimum of 110 degrees.
Family Nutrition Center 1410 Ben Maddox 11/14/2008 100
Keva Juice 4130 S. Mooney Blvd. 11/06/2008 100
K-Mart 3246 W. Noble Ave. 11/06/2008 100
La Joya Middle School 4711 La Vida Ave. 11/13/2008 100
Liberty School 11535 Avenue 264 11/12/2008 99
Mineral King Chevron 410 E. Mineral King 11/07/2008 96
Hot water at restrooms hand washing stations reached only between 85-90 degrees. Elevate temperatures to be measuring at or above 110 degrees.
Rite Aid 1735 W. Walnut 11/13/2008 97
Señor Guacamole 1120 N. Ben Maddox 11/14/2008 87
Noted hand-wash station without soap and paper towels. Restroom hand-wash facilities had no paper towels. Maintain hand-wash facility stocked with both soap and single-use paper towels. Observed couple of food items stored in reach-in unit at improper temperatures: raw chicken, 51 degrees, ham, 50 degrees, eggs 50 degrees, veggies (tomatoes, avocado, salsa) 51 degrees. All food items were removed from unit and stored at working refrigerator. All refrigeration units should be maintaining cold temperatures at or below 41 degrees. Repair or replace unit. Contact health inspector. Observed food storage equipment throughout facility with accumulation of food debris, grease. Clean, sanitize and maintain. Also, provide sanitizer solution, measuring 100 ppm chlorine (approx. 1 gallon of water per tablespoon of bleach). Purchase chlorine test strips.
Sonic Drive-In 512 N. Ben Maddox 11/14/2008 91
Observed old food debris inside reach-in units, warmers, door gaskets, mildew inside ice machine. Clean, sanitize and maintain food preparation/storage equipment. Noted throughout facility at 3 compartment, all handwashing sinks reaching hot water temperatures 93 degrees. Hot water at 3 compartment sinks should be reaching 120 degrees. For hand wash sinks minimum of 120 degrees. Call-in service/maintenance to check instantaneous water heater.
Starbucks 3401 W. Noble 11/06/2008 100
Taqueria Don Taco 1315 E. Houston 11/14/2008 96
Monitor food temperatures at reach-in unit currently measuring 45 degrees. It shall be at or below 41 degrees. Repair, replace or lower knob.
The Works Café 26644 S. Mooney Blvd. 11/06/2008 100
Top Dog 3411 S. Mooney 11/13/2008 99
Visalia 76 100 W. Mineral King 11/07/2008 100
# You have a right to ask restaurants to see a copy of their most recent food inspection reports.

VIRGINIA: The restaurant report - part 4
21.nov.08
abc 13
http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1108/571771.html
Across the ABC 13 Viewing Area - Live roaches, rodent droppings, food at dangerously wrong temperatures -- Inspectors found all of these violations in October in restaurants in our area. In our final Restaurant Report, an inside look at a kitchen with major problems and the only fast food restaurant on our list. Pittsylvania County's worst scorer in October was Napoli's Pizza in Gretna. Inspectors found six critical violations. Owners here would not speak to us on camera. But they did let us in to get a little bit of video and to look around. First, we went to the upstairs storage area. Shelley - "So this building's pretty old?" That's where inspectors found evidence of rodents, including droppings and a chewed up cup. Shelley - "She said she found something over there." We didn't find anything during our visit. Dan Richardson, Pittsylvania/Danville Health District - "It depends on where we see the evidence or where we see that rodent and it depends on the quantity of rodent droppings also." Fortunately, the droppings were not near a food prep area. But in the kitchen, the inspector saw couple of live roaches near the sink. We didn't see any. We did ask, though, about the dishwasher that had no sanitizer. Shelley - "What's new? What's been added?" They've now hooked up a new container. In Roanoke County, the Bojangles in Vinton had eight critical violations during their October inspection. They weren't cooking their fried chicken to the right temperature. Their grilled chicken fillets were being held about 15 degrees too cool. And, employees were not washing their hands in between glove changes. We hear the same thing from almost every owner on my list -- that they've corrected all of their violations and don't understand why I would do a report. But the bottom line is, these restaurants wouldn't have known what to fix if the inspector didn't point out the problems. Richardson - "We're not in the business of going in there and saying okay, you fixed it, that's fine, we're going to wink at it and go on. It is a violation and how long it's been going on in the past, we don’t know." The Wendy's in Appomattox had a perfect score in October, no critical or non critical violations. Please keep in mind that the health official we talked to in this story is not speaking specifically about any restaurant's inspection report. Click here if you want to know more about area restaurants by keeping tabs yourself.

FLORIDA: Dirty dining: A special undercover investigation
21.nov.08
News 12
Tara Cardoso
http://www.cbs12.com/news/people_4710880___article.html/hands_dirty.html
You use your hands all the time, but do you wash them just as often? Every day people are touching dirty surfaces, bodily fluids and then other people. You wouldn't go under the knife with surgeons who hadn't washed their hands. So, what about a cook who skipped the soap? CBS 12's I-Team explores this hidden danger in restaurants for this week's Dirty Dining.
It's more common than you think. Some restaurant employees are touching your food without washing their hands. What you can't see, can't hurt you? Right? Wrong.
Our CBS 12 I-Team hidden camera shows where those hands have been. We went to the Boca Breakfast and Lunch Club on Mizner Boulevard and found a server playing with her hair, eating and then delivering silverware. The other server was touching bread and putting it into the toaster with no handwashing taking place at all. It happens over and over again here. Another server was touching her hair, her face, and then the bagels with her bare hands. And another was touching her eye, then moments later, she grabbed someone's toast. Our undercover camera caught another one with her fingers around her mouth, wiping gunk out of her eyes, and digging in her ears. Then, off camera, she delivered the bagel to our producer without ever washing her hands. We found all of this at the Boca Breakfast and Lunch Club - a restaurant in our area with one of the highest number of hand hygiene violations.
We showed the video to food safety expert Fred Stein. He told us, “They are supposed to be using tongs to do that. If you have a sick worker and they touch their face, now and they touch ready to eat food, there could be an outbreak, a big outbreak.”
In their September 9th state inspection, we found: violations for working with raw food then cooked food without washing hands, violations for employees handling dirty equipment and then preparing food with no handwashing, a repeat violation for the cook using a cell phone while cooking with no handwashing.
That was September and our I-Team hidden camera has been back five times since then. We found the employees are still breaking the rules.
Fred Stein explains the danger, “That bagel is served to the wrong person, and by the wrong person I mean, someone who is immuno-compromised, a small child, geriatric... that person can get sick, can get a very serious illness, even die from this.”
So, what does the restaurant owner have to say about all this? We told him what our undercover camera had found, but he didn’t want to see our tape and instead said he would be getting his lawyer involved. He also would not answer questions about his restaurant’s handwashing policies.
The restaurant owners may not like what we do, but you do.
Our viewers always ask – gloves or no gloves – what’s the rule?
Well, it depends. The employees can use gloves, but the gloves should be “single use only.”
If the employees are not using gloves, they have to follow a policy of constantly washing their hands. Remember, gloves can represent a false sense of security because who knows what the employees are doing with the gloves on.
Sarah Klein with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food safety watchdog group, says, “Often times, employees forget they are wearing them and do the exact same things with gloves on as with the gloves off.”
However, these Boca Breakfast and Lunch Club servers were not wearing gloves and were not washing their hands. We also saw them counting cash right before counting bagels -- another big no no.
Don't have a hidden camera? Don't worry. Much of this stuff is happening in plain view. Just take a look behind the counter, before you eat what's in front of you.
Now for the CBS 12 Clean Plates Awards~!
While the I-Team was researching this report we used our hidden camera to visit several restaurants. Besides the problem places, we found a few with “Clean Plates” doing just what they're supposed to do.
A Subway in West Palm Beach had different workers touching the food than the money.
At a Dunkin Donuts in Boca Raton they are safely using paper to touch the food.
And at a Nature's Way Café in West Palm Beach, they are using a new pair of gloves each time they prepare food.
Congrats to this week's Clean Plate winners!

OKLAHOMA officials clear Locust Grove eatery to open
21.nov.08
NewsOK
Nolan Clay
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-officials-clear-locust-grove-eatery-to-open/article/3323907
LOCUST GROVE -- State health officials have decided a restaurant blamed for a food-poisoning outbreak can reopen, but its owners still face an uncertain future because some customers plan to sue.
The owners’ attorney, A. Mark Smiling of Tulsa, said, "They were trying to get open this week, whenever they get restaffed.”
The popular buffet-style restaurant closed Aug. 25 after customers began suffering from severe diarrhea and other problems. One customer died. Health officials said they believe several foods at the restaurant became contaminated with rare toxin-producing bacteria known as E. coli O111.
Health officials cleared the restaurant to reopen after owners Kenneth and Linda Moore completed a series of steps. The fixes included "a thorough cleaning and disinfection of all floors, walls, tables, coolers, food preparation surfaces and food-serving surfaces.”
The owners also installed three additional hand-washing sinks and disconnected from a private water well. Under an agreement, all employees must complete a food handlers’ class and employees with diarrhea cannot come in to work.
Health inspectors on Nov. 12 checked for bacteria at 35 locations in the restaurant including the ice cream machine and rest room door handles. Nothing was found.

ONTARIO: University reopens eatery at centre of campus outbreak
18.nov.08
Guelph Mercury
Vik Kirsch
http://news.guelphmercury.com/article/405637
The University of Guelph was set to reopen its Pita Pit fast food franchise yesterday.
"We could see no reason to keep it closed," university spokesperson Chuck Cunningham said.
Seven university students became ill with a potentially dangerous strain of E. coli O157 after eating romaine lettuce served at the University Centre food court eatery since Oct. 21.
"It's the common link in terms of most confirmed cases," Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health investigator Cameron Clark said.
The seven ill students are in addition to 51 probable cases locally that provincial and federal health authorities continue to investigate.
Romaine lettuce is also suspected to be the cause of similar outbreaks in Waterloo, Halton and Niagara regions, which brought the total Friday to 29 confirmed and 119 probable cases, according to the provincial Ministry of Health website.
The romaine lettuce appears to have originated from American growers and was shipped north, Clark said. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is pursuing this lead with U.S. health authorities.
But to date, no source has been definitively identified. He said it's difficult to positively identify the infection points "without that missing link . . . that smoking gun."
"We're not serving lettuce on campus," Cunningham said. "We know the investigation's still ongoing."

OHIO: Restaurant inspection report
17.nov.08
Newark Advocate
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20081117/NEWS01/811170312
# Too Talls Pizza, Nov. 3, 529 E. Main St., Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Light shields missing in basement. 2. Hood has dust buildup.
# Arlington Care Center, Nov. 3, 98 S. 30th St., Newark, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Arlington Care Center (Snack), Nov. 3, 98 S. 30th St., Newark, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Big League Baseball, Nov. 3, 971 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Colonial Bar, Nov. 5, 1012 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Food items not date marked. 2. Lights out in the kitchen.
# LPN Health Care Facility, Nov. 5, 151 Price Road, Newark, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Indian Hills Golf Course, Nov. 5, 4663 Columbus Road SW, Granville, standard inspection with violations. 1. Finish repairs to three-bay sink before next season.
# Southwest Licking Kirkersville Elementary, Nov. 5, 215 N. Fifth St., Kirkersville, complaint inspection, with no violations.
# Southwest Licking Kirkersville Elementary, Nov. 5, 215 N. Fifth St., Kirkersville, standard inspection, with no violations.
# The Winery at Otter Creek, Nov. 5, 5291 Beenington Chapel Road, Johnstown, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Teheran Grotto, Inc., Nov. 5, 124 Waterworks Road, Newark, complaint inspection, with no violations.
# Cheng's China Buffet, Nov. 5, 789 Hebron Road, Heath, complaint inspection, with no violations.
# Yummy Chinese and Japenese Restaurant, Nov. 5, 620 E. Main St., Hebron, complaint inspection with violations. 1. Wiping cloths stored in container with no bleach. 2. Shrimp thawing at room temperature. 3. No date marking on foods in coolers. 4. Drain line for ice machine is below floor at floor drain.
# Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, Nov. 5, 967 Hebron Road, Heath, complaint inspection, with no violations.
# Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, Nov. 5, 967 Hebron Road, Heath, complaint inspection with violation. 1. Floor under equipment at bar is dirty. 2. Floor drain at bar is plugged.
# Dragon Village, Nov. 6, 9317 Columbia Road, Pataskala, prelicense inspection, with no violations.
# Highlands Golf Club, Nov. 6, 10391 Hollow Road, Pataskala, standard inspection with violations. 1. Clean Carroll walk-in cooler fanguards, fans and evaporator to remove dust and debris buildup. 2. Clean door gaskets on Kenmore upright freezer to remove mold buildup. 3. Clean floor under grill line and under center work area to remove food debris. 4. A hand washing sink must be installed before licensing for the 2009 license year.
# Clover Valley Golf Club, Nov. 6, 8644 Johnstown-Alexandria Road, Johnstown, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Giant Eagle, Nov. 6, 553 Hebron Road, Heath, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Burger King, Nov. 6, 1255 N. 21st St., Newark, standard inspection with violation. 1. Floor in walk-in is dirty.
# Arbys, Nov. 6, 1175 N. 21st St., Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Lid on Dumpster is open. 2. Hand sink was removed.
# Chestnut House, Nov. 6, 10165 Johnson Ave., Newark, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Duke & Duchess Shoppe, Nov. 6, 900 N. 21st St., Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Floors in storage rooms and walk-ins are dirty.
# The Blue Raccoon, Nov. 6, 606 W. Church St., Newark, standard inspection, with no violations.
# VIP Bar & Grill, Nov. 7, 510 E. Broad St., Pataskala, follow-up inspection with violations. 1. Traulsen two door freezer and three-door prep cooler still need torn, damaged door gaskets replaced. 2. TVs in dry storage and aisle yet to be removed. 3. Missing ceiling tile in kitchen and dry storage still need to be replaced. 4. More work needed on grease removal from floors in kitchen area. 5. Interior of convection oven still needs cleaned.
# Super Wok, Nov. 7, 410 E. Broad St., Pataskala, follow-up inspection, with no violations.
# Liberty Christian Academy, Nov. 7, 10447 Refugee Road, Pataskala, 30-day inspection with violations. 1. Shelving in dry storage needs adjusted so bottom shelf of unit is a minimum of six inches off the floor. 2. Test kits for sanitizer used are required.
# Broad Street Tavern, Nov. 7, 11472 E. Broad St., Pataskala, follow-up inspection with violation. 1. Hand sink yet to be installed.
# Subway, Nov. 10, 1865 N. 21st St., Newark, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Tim Hortons, Nov. 10, 963 N. 21st St., Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Floor in walk-in and under/around equipment is dirty. 2. Cart on wheels and inside of stainless steel drawers have food particles building up.
# Pizza Cottage, Nov. 10, 969 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, standard inspection with violations. 1. Floor in the walk-in is dirty. 2. Wiping cloths on counters. 3. No test strips.
# Creno's Pizza, Nov. 10, 11184 Hebron Road, Buckeye Lake, standard inspection with violations. 1. Door seal/gaskets on Beverage Air refrigerator is torn.
# Lancer's Inn and Tap Room, Nov. 10, 139 W. Main St., Hebron, standard inspection, with no violations.
# Lancer's Inn & Tap Room, Nov. 10, 139 W. Main St., Hebron, follow-up inspection, with no violations.
# Bombay Garden Greek Eats, Nov. 10, 842 S. 30th St., Heath, standard inspection with violations. 1. Food uncovered in food prep cooler. 2. No date marking of foods in food prep cooler and walk-in cooler. 3. Onions uncovered in walk-in cooler. 4. Vent hood/sprinkler system has grease buildup. 5. Blade on large can opener has metal shavings. 6. Sinks in employee restroom and men's restroom need to be sealed to wall. 7. Hood over dishwasher has dirt buildup. 8. Nozzles on soda dispenser are very dirty. 9. Door seals on True freezer are torn, damaged.
Compiled from official reports.

PENNSYLVANIA: Inspection mixed bag at eateries
16.nov.08
The Times Leader
Andrew Seder
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Inspection_mixed_bag_at_eateries_11-16-2008.html
Philly’s Phinest Pizza and Shelley’s American Pie are separated by only a few dozen feet along the same stretch of Carey Avenue. But because Shelley’s is in Hanover Township and Philly’s Phinest is just across the municipal border in Wilkes-Barre, curious diners will find only the restaurant inspection report for Philly’s Phinest posted online.
That inconsistency is something state and local health officials and even some restaurant owners think should change, and slowly but surely change is occurring.
“I honestly believe everybody should be posted,” said Cindy Bollinger, co-owner of Philly’s Phinest. She said that having reports posted online are good for business and keeps everybody on their toes. “If one restaurant is online, they all should be.”
Other restaurant owners in similar situations agree.
“I think all things should be equal,” said Gary Edwards, owner and head chef at Fire & Ice, a restaurant that opened in July in Trucksville. Inspection reports for his restaurant and others in Kingston Township are posted on a state Web site, but reports for dining establishments in nearby Larksville, Kingston and West Pittston are much harder to find.
As long as individual municipalities continue to conduct their own inspections and aren’t required to post reports on the Internet, there will be a level of unfairness, Edwards said. State officials concur.
A state Department of Agriculture initiative started in 2006 to bring a more uniform approach to inspections and to informing the public of what inspections find is gaining traction, but as the situation with the two pizza parlors illustrates, it’s not complete.
More municipalities are getting out of the food inspection business and entrusting those duties to the state’s Department of Agriculture. Some Luzerne County towns are among them and others may follow next year as the demands of handling inspections in-house become more cumbersome.
The move to state inspectors helps make things more uniform and allows residents to view reports at the department’s Web site, www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=137994, said department spokesman Chris L. Ryder. Some municipalities have retained their own health officials, use an inspection form identical to the state’s and post their reports on the state’s Web site.
But it’s the group of municipalities like Hanover Township that still use their own inspectors with their own reports that has some state officials and other inspectors concerned.

ARIZONA: Buffet restaurant, food mart flunk health inspections, pass follow-up
16.nov.08
Arizona Daily Star
Dale Quinn
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/267328
A Chinese buffet and a gas-station food mart both failed county health inspections and were put on provisional license status in October.
Both passed follow-up inspections, according to the Pima County Health Department.
China Star of Tucson, 4790 E. Grant Road
The temperature of sliced melons and a container of squid salad in the buffet line were measured at 53 degrees, according to an inspection report dated Oct. 2. Potentially hazardous food must be held at 41 degrees or lower.
An employee washed dishware using water, but no soap, the report says. Employees also did not demonstrate the proper handwashing technique.
Two cans of WD-40 were stored near food ingredients and dishware, but chemicals should be segregated to prevent contamination, according to the report. Also, WD-40, an industrial lubricant, is not considered safe for use on any food equipment.
There was excessive grease around the store's grease container and trash bin, the report says.
China Star passed a follow-up inspection Oct. 17.
Reached by a reporter, the restaurant's owner said she would call back Friday to comment but failed to do so.
Ajo Chevron and Food Mart, 2001 N. Ajo Gila Bend Highway
Raw chicken and other food items were not kept cold enough, according to an inspection report dated Oct. 29.
The food mart had a handwashing sink at the front counter, but not one in the back where food preparation takes place, according to the report. Tongs used for hot dogs, dill pickles and chicken were being washed only once a day when it's required they be washed every four hours, the report says. The food mart had installed equipment and made menu changes without notifying the Health Department.
Most of the violations were "maintenance problems and not as much the quality of the food," said manager Bruce Owens.
Many of the violations were immediately corrected, Owens said. But others require equipment and that will take time to acquire, he said. Ajo Chevron passed a follow-up inspection on Friday.
In NEED of IMPROVEMENT
These food establishments scored "Needs Improvement" on their last unannounced inspection:
Alvaro Tacos y Hot Dogs (mobile food unit), 6231 S. Sixth Ave.
Billie's Fried Chicken (mobile food unit), 2528 S. Forgeus Stravenue
Cahuamanta y Mariscos San Carlos (mobile food unit), 3969 E. Nico Lane
Chano's Hot Dogs (mobile food unit), 3836 E. Benson Highway
El Dorado Restaurant, 1949 S. Fourth Ave.
El Gallo de Sinaloa Hot Dogs (mobile food unit), 5546 S. Irving Drive
El Gorrion Burrito (mobile food unit), 3459 S. 12th Ave.
La Indita Cafe, 622 N. Fourth Ave.
Little Caesars Pizza, 1625 W. Valencia Road
Lynn/Urquides Elementary School, 1573 W. Ajo Way
Maria Bonita Restaurant, 5851 N. Oracle Road
Mely's Mexican Foods (mobile food unit), 6022 S. Nelco Place
Metropolitan Grill, 7892 N. Oracle Road
Safeway, 1301 W. Duval Mine Road
Salpointe Catholic High School, 1545 E. Copper St.
Southwest Desert Dogs (mobile food unit), 10210 E. Discovery Drive
Tacos Mi Delicia (mobile food unit), 5634 E. 24th St.
Taqueria La Guera (mobile food unit), 3590 W. Center Mountain Way
Taqueria Rositas & Taqueria Rositas II (mobile food unit), 4389 E. Ocotillo Desert Trail
Weeners by the Beeners (mobile food unit), 1907 W. River View Road
CERTIFICATES OF EXCELLENCE
These food establishments inspected last month scored "Excellent" on their last three inspections:
Restaurants
Café 54 at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way
Cafe Poca Cosa, 110 E. Pennington St.
Candela Restaurant Latin American Cuisine, 5845 N. Oracle Road
Dairy Queen, 100 S. Sarnoff Drive
Great Wall of China Restaurant, 2445 S. Craycroft Road
Lani's Luau, 2532 S. Harrison Road
Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant, 2041 S. Craycroft Road
Panda Express, 4500 N. Oracle Road
Pizza Hut, 2943 N. Campbell Ave.
Runway Bar & Grill, 2101 S. Alvernon Way
Subway, 10565 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley
Non-restaurants
Alano Club, 4405 E. Pima St.
Catalina Mart, 5 S. Houghton Road
Centennial Elementary School, 2200 W. Wetmore Road
Choc-Alot, 6350 E. Broadway
Diamond Shamrock, 920 E. 22nd St.
Flowing Wells High School, 3725 N. Flowing Wells Road
Fry's Food Store, 4036 N. First Ave.
Gale Elementary School, 678 S. Gollob Road
Hanson's Good to Go, 6295 E. 22nd St.
Heavenly Spreadables, 5033 E. Fifth St.
Homer Davis Head Start, 4258 N. Romero Road
J&C Food Service, 6101 E. 22nd St.
Jasmine's Market, 2516 N. Campbell Ave.
Kids First Preschool & Childcare, 8185 E. 22nd St.
Kids First Preschool & Childcare, 5316 E. Pima St.
Learning Bee Preschool, 3975 E. 22nd St.
Marana Middle School, 11279 W. Grier Road
Northwest Head Start, 2160 N. Sixth Ave.
Pima Community College East Campus, 8181 E. Irvington Road.
Quick Stuff, 5000 E. Valencia Road
Safeway, 9460 E. Golf Links Road
Santa Catalina Villas, 7500 N. Calle Sin Envidia
Schumaker Elementary School, 501 N. Maguire Ave.
Steele Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Drive
Sunflower Farmers Market, 4645 E. Speedway
Sweet Factory, 4500 N. Oracle Road.
Trader Joe's, 4209 N. Campbell Ave.
Trader Joe's, 7912 N. Oracle Road
Unicorn Sports Lounge, 8060 E. 22nd St.
Van Horne Elementary School, 7550 E. Pima St.
Wakefield Middle School, 101 W. 44th St.
Walter Douglas Head Start, 3232 N. Flowing Wells Road
Water Street Station Inc., 3952 N. First Ave.
Wheeler Elementary School, 1818 S. Avenida del Sol
This list from the Pima County Health Department does not include establishments that earned a "Good" rating, nor those that earned an "Excellent" rating this time unless it was the third "Excellent" rating in a row.
Contact reporter Dale Quinn at 573-4197 or dquinn@azstarnet.com.

WASHINGTON: Health officials suspend restaurant operating license for one week
15.nov.08
Wenatchee World Online
Rachel Schleif
http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081114/NEWS04/711158801
WENATCHEE -- Health officials issued a one-week suspension of the Wenatchee China Buffet’s operating license after the restaurant failed four health inspections in two years.
The Chelan-Douglas Health District said the restaurant consistently violated temperature standards, which require that cold food be chilled to at least 41 degrees, and hot food be heated to at least 140 degrees, said Marc Marquis, environmental health director for the Chelan-Douglas Health District.
“We’ve never had a restaurant have four unsatisfactory inspections,” Marquis said. He said the suspension is “more or less punitive. We’ve offered them technical assistance, we’ve recommended a risk control plan so they don’t have these problems, and we’ve assessed a $500 civil penalty to get their attention. At this point it’s really our only option left if going to enforce the health code.”
Unless the restaurants’s owners appeal, the restaurant will close Nov. 25 until Dec. 1.
After the one-week suspension, the China Buffet must pass six inspections in the next 12 months, which the owners must pay for at $119 each. The restaurant faces a two week suspension if it fails another inspection, Marquis said.
China Buffet manager Liang Chen said the inspections have been unfair.
The inspector checked for temperatures in the top layers of food, which are most prone to be out of compliance, Chen said. The inspector also dinged the restaurant for food stored in the refrigerator for staff consumption, he said.
Chen’s lawyer, Stan Bastian, said his client also questioned the accuracy of the health district’s thermometers. The restaurant’s own thermometers measured a different temperature that meets health standards, Bastian said.
Chen’s staff checks temperatures every two hours, and stirs the food between temperature checks to make sure the temperature is even, Bastian said.
Chen said he was not aware of an appeals process until the last inspection, Oct. 28.

TEXAS: Nov. 14-Leger's restaurant report card
14.nov.08
KFDM News
Bill Leger
http://www.kfdm.com/articles/restaurant_28777___article.html/bistro_dowlen.html
This week's restaurant inspection scores comes to us from the Beaumont Health Department.
#1. JO JO'S CHINA BISTRO 3939 DOWLEN ROAD/GRADE=74
We begin with Jo Jo's China Bistro on Dowlen Road. Inspector Scott found many flies in the restaurant, one cook with a hair restraint, eggs at an unsafe temperature and the dishwasher was handling both clean and dirty dishes which could contaminate the clean dishes. Jo Jo's China Bistro on Dowlen gets a 74.
#2. GOLDEN DRAGON BUFFET 6420 EASTEX FREEWAY/GRADE=76
Next is Golden Dragon Buffet on the Eastex Freeway. Inspector Wilhelm on the job. She found chicken and teriyaki at unsafe temperatures, employees with poor hygienic practices and flies in the restaurant. Golden Dragon Buffet on the Eastex Freeway gets a 76.
#3. CASA BLANCA 8350 COLLEGE/GRADE=82
Now to Casa Blanca on College Street. Inspector Scott uncovered a severe roach infestation problem.. there were roaches in boxes of foil and food wrap. There were also several flies and gnats. Casa Blanca gets an 82.
#4. LOGAN'S ROAD HOUSE 4185 DOWLEN/GRADE=86
Inspector Duriso found two employees without hair restraints, the dish washer was not sanitizing dishes, and thermometers were needed to make sure food was being kept at safe temperatures. Logan's Road House on Dowlen gets an 86.
Last week we reported a roach problem at El Potrillo Mexican Restaurant on the Eastex Freeway. According to the health department the restaurant immediately called an exterminator and the problem has since been corrected.
SUBWAY
320 NTH 23RD ST.
GRADE=92
GUESS ELEMENTARY
8055 VOTH
GRADE=93
SUBWAY
5595 COLLEGE
GRADE=96
PRETZEL TIME
6155 EASTEX FRWY
GRADE=96
CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH
88 JAGUAR
GRADE=97
KING MIDDLE SCHOOL
1400 ROYAL
GRADE=100
MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL
6455 GLADYS
GRADE=100
ST. ANNE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
375 N 11TH
GRADE=100
UNCLE HENRY'S TAMALES
4358 E. LUCAS
GRADE=100
JUDY'S ROCKS
5675 FANNETT RD
GRADE=100

ONTARIO: Harvey's reopening doors
12.nov.08
North Bay Nugget
Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles
http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1292498
A man at the centre of an E. coli outbreak, which has been linked to a local Harvey's restaurant, will be among the first in line when it reopens today.
I'm not nervous to return to Harvey's. If anything I'm sure this restaurant will be the cleanest one in Ontario," said John Baker.
He will walk through the doors at Harvey's Restaurant today when it reopens at 11 a. m. and order the same thing he did Oct. 6 before he went into hospital with severe abdominal cramps.
I will order a hamburger topped with everything but mayonnaise and a chocolate milkshake," he told The Nugget Tuesday.
From what I understand I was one of the worst victims. I was the first to come into the hospital and I want people to know I was very sick, but I have no hard feelings."
Baker is still recovering. He's regained 10 pounds of the 32 he lost.
I'm doing well, but I still have nightmares and night terrors. I'm sure it's stress induced."
Baker, who is also a small business owner, looks at the situation from a different view.
This is our community and if we don't support it we will not have one," he said.
Harvey's Restaurant in North Bay will reopen today, under the watchful eye of health inspectors.
Mayor Vic Fedeli and Rick McNabb, president for Harvey's Canada will be in attendance.
The last four weeks have been a very difficult four weeks, it's been my full-time thing," McNabb said.
We felt terrible about what happened, but I think opening the restaurant is the next stage.
This restaurant has been part of this community for many years and the health unit has conducted a very thorough investigation."
As of Tuesday, there were 251 cases, of which 50 have been confirmed for E. coli. There are also three confirmed secondary cases.

OHIO: Restaurant inspection report
11.nov.08
Newark Advocate
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20081111/NEWS01/811110351/1002
# Pizza Cottage Mobile Trailer, Oct. 30, 2650 National Road, Hebron, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Northridge PTO, Nov. 1, 6066 Johnstown-Utica Road, Johnstown, standard inspection, no violations reported.
# Burger King, Nov. 3, 856 Hebron Road, Heath, standard inspection, with violation reported. 1. Vent filters over fryers have grease buildup.
# Ponderosa Steakhouse, Nov. 3, 828 Hebron Road, Heath, standard inspection with violations reported. 1. Several vent filters are missing for vent hood. 2. Floor in kitchen has food particles. 3. Floors in the walk-in freezer and cooler have food particles. 4. Door seal on McCall cooler is torn. 5. Cheese in the McCall refrigerator held at 45 degrees. 6. Baked beans were held at 127 degrees at hot food line. 7. Ice scoop container on side of ice machine is dirty. 8. Flushing units in the men's restroom leak.
# Pizza Hut, Nov. 3, 846 Hebron Road, Heath, standard inspection with violations reported. 1. Ice scoop lying inside ice machine. 2. Door seal is torn on walk-in cooler door. 3. Hand sink in food prep area is not sealed to wall. 4. Dough racks in food prep area are dirty. 5. Guards on fans in walk-in cooler have dirt/dust. 6. Interior of microwave has food splash. 6. No thermometers in make table and McCall cooler. 7. Top of dishwasher has buildup.
# Speedway, Oct. 3, 624 S. 30th St., Heath, standard inspection, with violations reported. 1. Door seal on walk-in cooler door is in disrepair. 2. Floor has miscellaneous items in walk-in cooler.
# Leghorns, Nov. 3, 850 S. 30th St., Heath, prelicensing inspection, no violations reported.
Compiled from official reports.

ONTARIO: Restaurant E. coli investigations turn to suppliers
11.nov.08
Globe and Mail/Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081111.ECOLI11/TPStory/National
Guelph Mercury
Vik Kirsch
http://news.guelphmercury.com/article/402879
Hamilton Spectator
Jackson Hayes
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/464576
Barfblog Post
HAMILTON -- The first three Ontario restaurants closed in a recent E. coli scare have reopened, but the increasing number of cases is leading many to speculate on a supplier as the source of the outbreak. Though provincial investigators continue to test samples, officials in Niagara, Halton Region and Guelph are pointing the finger at produce tainted prior to delivery.
"It seems likely there was contaminated produce in the commercial market being distributed to restaurants back to the mid-part of October," said Dr. Doug Sider of Niagara Region Public Health.
The latest tally indicates 24 confirmed cases in Niagara, Halton, Guelph and Waterloo and recent laboratory tests have linked cases in each area with the same strain of E. coli, O157:H7.
Another 64 suspected cases are being investigated.
While officials in Niagara report no new cases, health authorities in Guelph have widened their warning to anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of E. coli and not necessarily to people who ate at the Pita Pit at the University of Guelph.
Andrew Morrison of the Health Ministry said, "We're still accepting food samples."
In Waterloo Region, two high-school students contracted the bacteria and public health officials expect to keep the cafeteria at St. Mary's High School in Kitchener closed for a few more days.
The region's associate medical officer of health, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, said provincial investigators are studying whether the outbreak is linked to romaine lettuce.
U of G spokesperson Chuck Cunningham said "as a precaution" the university has removed lettuce from the main University Centre food court, cafeterias in residences and the Creelman dining hall. That's because lettuce is part of the probe by public health and the provincial Ministry of Health, he added.

WISCONSIN: Madison school cafeterias have "impressive" safety records
11.nov.08
Wisconsin State Journal
Melanie Conklin
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/313917
While there's no controlling what happens once kids get their hands on the food, some of the safest public places to buy meals are Madison school cafeterias.
A review of Madison-Dane County Health Department records of Madison school cafeteria inspections showed that school scores were far better than the average restaurant score. Out of 164 Madison cafeteria inspections, 49 resulted in a perfect score of zero and 115 found no critical violations.
To put that in perspective, the average score for restaurants hovers around 20, and anything above 50 is viewed as troublesome. Madison school cafeterias averaged 3.3 over the past four years. The worst school score — Spring Harbor Middle School with a score of 22 in 2005 — was on par with restaurants. And the next two years Spring Harbor scored a perfect zero.
"It's very impressive," said Madison-Dane County Health sanitarian Beth Cleary, surveying the data. "It's very rare to find a zero or one in a restaurant. School scores are much lower than the restaurants we inspect."
Such data is increasingly available for all school cafeterias due to a change in US Department of Agriculture laws that took effect in 2005. It mandates that every school cafeteria receiving federal funding get inspected twice per school year and have a food safety plan.
The law added cost and paperwork for schools and increased the workload of health department sanitarians, but while Wisconsin schools started slowly, they are increasingly complying.

FLORIDA: Restaurants refuse to show inspection reports to customers
10.nov.08
wftv.com
http://www.wftv.com/news/17946232/detail.html#-
An Action 9 investigation found many local restaurants ignore a state law to protect your health.
The restaurants will not show customers their latest state health inspections.
If you walk into any restaurant in Florida, it's your right to see the latest inspection report. It's a scorecard that reveals past health risks behind the kitchen doors.
Over the past several months and even years, Action 9 has uncovered risky mystery meat in a restaurant's cooler, unsafe food temperatures and filthy conditions in restaurants that kept flunking inspections.
If it's an unfamiliar restaurant, Cindy Endicott wants to know if it's clean and thinks asking to see a past inspection is the only way she can really find out.
"It should be your right to see the inspection," said Cindy.
But just because state regulations require it, don't expect to see it. Action 9 found many restaurants, such as the Denny's on International Drive, will not, or cannot show you the state inspection.
With a hidden camera, Action 9 randomly stopped at 50 restaurants in the Orlando area. Before ordering anything, a volunteer asked to check the state inspection.
At the Great Western Steak House in South Orlando, a manager told us he didn't have to. Another manager would not say why.
"Get of out of here this is private property!" the manger said. "Get out with that damn TV!"

TEXAS: food service inspections
10.nov.08
Victoria Advocate
http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/features/food/story/354269.html
The Victoria City-County Health Department and its sister organization, the Crossroads Public Health District, inspect places where food is served in Victoria, DeWitt, Jackson and Calhoun counties.
In the inspection reports, each violation in the Food Temperature/Time Requirements category is 5 demerits; in the Personnel/Handling/Source Requirements category, 4 demerits; and in the Facility and Equipment Requirements, 3 demerits. Zero is a perfect score while 100 demerits is the worst possible score.
Each Wednesday, the Advocate publishes inspection results from the previous week. All demerits are reported, but only those in the categories of Food Temperature/Time Requirements and Personnel/Handling/Source Requirements are detailed.
FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS FOR THE WEEK ENDING Nov. 7.
City Bakery, 1204 E. San Antonio St. in Victoria. Demerits: 27. Improper cold hold temperature, need to cover all foods in cooler, need to use gloves or tongs with ready-to-eat foods, raw meat was stored above tortillas and other cooked food, need use a date labeling system for eggs. Two facility or equipment violations which included storing tortillas in trash bags and chip baskets cannot be stacked on top of each other with napkins in them.
Taqueria El Rodeo Two by Two, 1928 Main St. in Port Lavaca. Demerits: 26. Improper cold hold temperature, hand sink can only be used for hand washing, need to use food grade bags for store food, need to cover food in freezer. Three facility or equipment violations.
Burger King No. 16248, 2103 Houston Highway in Victoria. Demerits: 14. Need to cover food in freezer, need to post hand washing policy. Two facility or equipment violations which included a roach on the counter.
Cuero Nursing and Rehabilitation, 1310 E. Broadway St. in Cuero. Demerits: 14. Improper cold temperature. Three facility or equipment violations which included evidence of flies.
Vera Cruz, 3110 N. Navarro St. in Victoria. Demerits: 13. Employees cannot eat in food prep area. Three facility or equipment violations which include needing to clean the ice machine, evidence of gnats and improper storage of knives.
Howard Johnson, 2705 E. Houston Highway in Victoria. Demerits: 11. Employee cannot eat in food prep area. One facility or equipment violation, a roach found in flour.
KB's Barbecue, 1251 Garcitas Creed Road in Inez. Demerits: 11. Need to use lids and straws on employee drinks, need to store raw meat below other food. One facility or equipment violation.
La Salle's Landing, 2002 Broadway St. in Port Lavaca. Demerits: 8. Hand sink can only be used for hand washing, need to refrigerate barbecue sauce after opening, eggs need to be refrigerated, no smoking in cooking area.
La Michoacana, 2211 Lone Tree Road in Victoria. Demerits: 7. Need to cover all food in cooler. One facility or equipment violation, need to clean the ice machine.
The Grapevine Cafe, 110 Medical Drive in Victoria. Demerits: 7. Employees cannot eat in food prep area, need to use noodles from approved source. One facility or equipment violation.
Taquerilla la Parilla, 737 state Highway 35 in Port Lavaca. Demerits: 7. Hand sink can only be used for hand washing. One facility or equipment violation, ice machine was leaking.
Ruddocks Grocery, 7658 U. S. Highway 87 in Victoria. Demerits: 7. Need to discard expired medication. One facility or equipment violation.
Cimarron Junction, 7104 N. Navarro St. in Victoria. Demerits: 7. Need to cover food in freezer. One facility or equipment violation, need to clean ice machine.
Pelican's Perch, 142 W. Bay St. in Seadrift. Demerits: 6. Two facility or equipment violations.
Texas Nursing and Rehabilitation, 3007 N. Navarro St. in Victoria. Demerits: 6. Two facility or equipment violations.
McDonalds, 3204 S. Laurent St. in Victoria. Demerits: 6. Two facility or equipment violations, need to clean ice machine.
H-E-B, 1161 Esplanade St. in Cuero. Demerits: 6. Two facility or equipment violations.
Stripes No. 1105, 3204 S. Laurent St. in Victoria, Taco Express, 2800 S. Laurent St. in Victoria, Werners Cafe, 1200 Carl Ramert Drive in Yoakum, The Pantry, 702 N. Virginia St. in Port Lavaca. Demerits: 3.
Wing Stop, 5802 N. Navarro St. in Victoria, Whataburger, 8908 N. Navarro St. in Victoria, Sonic No. 3322, 8707 N. Navarro St. in Victoria, Subway No. 40856, 6005 N. Main St. in Victoria, Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center, 102 Medical Drive in Victoria, Yoakum Nursing and Rehabilitation, 1300 Carl Ramert Drive in Yoakum, Merle's Barbecue, 819 state Highway 35 in Port Lavaca, Hunan Garden, 2119 N. Esplanade St. in Cuero, Fossati's, 302 S. Main St. in Victoria, Whataburger, 3603 Houston Highway in Victoria. Demerits: 0.
Re-Inspection
The Corral, 3502 Houston Highway in Victoria inspected Oct. 29, with 33 demerits. Re-inspected Nov. 3, continuing to work on violations.
City Bakery, 1204 E. San Antonio St. in Victoria inspected Oct. 30, with 27 demerits. Re-inspected Nov. 4, all violations corrected.

TEXAS: Restaurant that served contaminated food to police chief closed
08.nov.08
MyFox Austin
http://www.myfoxaustin.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7823308&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.1.1
Barfblog Post
BURNET -- A Central Texas restaurant has closed its kitchen for good. The decision was made after two cooks there were arrested for serving tainted food to the Burnet Police Chief. Last month, Jaime Perez,23, was arrested on a felony charge of contaminating food. Police say he and another cook, James Ledesma, rubbed two hamburger buns in inappropriate areas, then spit in the burger and served it to police chief Paul Nelson.

NOVA SCOTIA: 'I've got nothing to hide': Halifax West restaurant owner
06.nov.08
Halifax News Net
Chris Kallan
http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/index.cfm?sid=187410&sc=608
Food inspection colour codes, used elsewhere in Canada and posted on the outside of a restaurant, are a recipe for disaster, according to Wilson Jenkins.
"Anyone is welcome to come into my kitchen at any time because I have nothing to hide, but there's just no way any restaurant can be 100 per cent infraction-free all the time," said Jenkins, who co-owns Mexico Lindo on Dutch Village Road along with his wife, Ana. "Colour coding is going way too far."
New Brunswick introduced the controversial colour coding system last year - green is good, red is bad, while yellow can include anything in between. Some cities in Ontario also follow this method for potential diners to peruse.
Whether this practice - green indicates food safety laws are being followed, red signals an immediate hazard has been found and the restaurant is closed, while yellow means it's safe to eat and non-critical violations need to be corrected - will eventually exist in Nova Scotia is unknown.
But progress has been made.
Last week, the Department of Agriculture's food protection and enforcement division revealed a new website (http://www.ns.gov.ca/agri/foodsafety/ reports) for listing inspection reports for the province's approximately 5,000 restaurants, grocery stores and other food vendors; the site includes information regarding food safety infractions and the action required to satisfy regulations. Potential customers can search for a restaurant's inspection history by typing in its name or location.
The Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia (RANS) is in favour of the government monitoring its organization.
"Allowing consumers access to information is a right that they deserve and our industry is happy to oblige," RANS executive director Gordon Stewart said in a news release.
The system cost $325,000 and the current database contains more than 1,500 inspection reports so far for visits between July 10 and Nov. 1. Reports are online within three days of a complete inspection.
Costa Elles, RANS president and owner of several bars and restaurants in the metro area, agrees with online access, albeit with more specific details, but doesn't believe a colour sticker represents accuracy.
"A colour-coded system allows too much room for interpretation," said Elles. "If an inspector comes in and tells me they'd like to see something done before they come back in a few months then I would still get a warning ... the customer doesn't know how minor it is. It's too vague.
"In a business where an 80 per cent failure rate takes place, it's enough to put you over the edge."
Food inspection reports are stored online in the province's database for two years. Specialists visit each place one to three times per year.
But is online access to a restaurant's food inspection history enough? After all, how many people will sit down in front of their computer to check out an eatery in advance?
Still, a yellow sticker for a minor infraction could stick in the consumer's head for an indefinite period of time. That's what irks Jenkins, whose popular Mexican eatery received a thumbs up from food safety inspectors on Aug. 19.
"You could have positive review after positive review, but then some little thing happens and it's blown out of proportion," he said. "We don't need that in our business."

GEORGIA: Restaurant inspection scores released
06.nov.08
The Northeast Georgian
http://www.thenortheastgeorgian.com/articles/2008/11/06/news/business/01business.txt
Following are the foodservice inspections for Oct. 2-23 by the Habersham County Health Department's Environmental Health Section.
A score of 85 and above is considered passing. Foodservice establishments are required to post their score sheets in public so that customers can review them.
For more information about an inspection, contact the environmental health office at 706-776-7659.
* Isabelle's at the Movies, 2111 Cody Road, Mt. Airy. Inspection time: 4:10 p.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 86; current grade: B; last score: 100. Out of compliance with the following: Proper reheating procedures for hot holding. Proper date marking and disposition. Nonfood-contact surfaces clean. Comments: Must reheat foods properly with proper equipment (use stove, microwave - do not use steam table or hot holding cabinets to reheat items); must reheat to 165 degrees and hold at 135 degrees or higher afterwards. Must properly label and date all items prepared in house and those items transferred from original containers if holding more than 24 hours; label with discard date (seven days max hold time on potentially hazardous foods).
* Baron York CafÂ/, 1444 Washington St., Clarkesville. Inspection time: 10:40 a.m. Purpose of inspection: not listed. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Great work!
* Java Joe's/Manna-To-Go, 1349 Washington St., Clarkesville. Inspection time: not listed. Purpose of inspection: not listed. Score: 100; current grade: A. Comments: recommend permit.
* Isabelle's at the Movies, 2111 Cody Road, Mt. Airy. Inspection time: 4 p.m. Purpose of inspection: follow-up. Score: 96; current grade: A; last score: 86. Out of compliance with the following: Adequate handwashing facilities supplied and accessible. Comments: Make sure proper supplies are kept in stock at hand sink at all times. Reheating procedures correct. Date marking correct/in progress. Temps are great.
* Cornelia Elementary School, 375 Old Cleveland Road, Cornelia. Inspection time: 11:30 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Good job!
* Level Grove Elementary School, Level Grove Road, Cornelia. Inspection time: 10:40 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 96; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Great job!
* Magnolia Hills, 504 Historic Highway 441, Demorest. Inspection time: 3 p.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Good job!
* Baldwin Elementary School, 864 Willingham Ave., Baldwin. Inspection time: 10:15 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 97. Comments: Good work.
* South Habersham Sixth Grade Academy, 427 Cash St., Cornelia. Inspection time: 10:50 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Good job.
* Holy Smokes, 745 Holly St., Demorest. Inspection time: 10 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 96; current grade: A; last score: 100. Out of compliance with the following: Properly labeled; original container, required records: shellstock tags; segregated distressed food. Nonfood-contact surfaces clean. Comments: Clean/sanitize gaskets on all coolers, particularly outside; clean insides of freezers (outside) regularly. Make sure dairy products are discarded once expiration date is met. (All discarded by staff).
* North Habersham Sixth Grade Academy, 250 Alabama St., Demorest. Inspection time: 11:15 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Great work!
* Pizza Hut, 1604 Highway 441 Bypass, Cornelia. Inspection time: 3:30 p.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 95; current grade: A; last score: 84. Out of compliance with the following: Food stored covered. Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled. Comments: Keep all dry goods stored in covered/sealed container between uses (sugar). Air dry all pans completely before storing. Much improved!
* Ribeye's, 283 Highway 441 N. Business, Cornelia. Inspection time: 2:30 p.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 96; current grade: A; last score: 100. Out of compliance with the following: Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed and used. Comments: All food items shall be labeled and dated. Salad and cooler's thermometer needs to be adjusted. Very clean! Good job.
* Market CafÂ/, 129 E. Waters St., Clarkesville. Inspection time: 11:05 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Excellent job!
* Habersham Central High School, 171 Raider Circle, Mt. Airy. Inspection time: 10:45. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Good work!
* Piedmont College Grill, 165 Central Ave., Demorest. Inspection time: 11:45 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 98; current grade: A; last score: 98. Out of compliance with the following: Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled. Gloves used properly. Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean. Comments: Hang mops to air dry after cleaning. When changing gloves between tasks, hands must be washed. Floors behind under shelving/equipment needs extra attention (to be swept/mopped).
* Brooks Lil General, Highway 197 North, Clarkesville. Inspection time: 11:20 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 94; current grade: A; last score: 95. Out of compliance with the following: Properly labeled; original container; required records; shellstock tags; segregated distressed foods. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage and display. Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled. Comments: Discard dairy products once expiration date is met; make sure all items in storage are properly labeled/dated. Store open dry goods in sealed container between uses for protection.
* Batesville General Store, 11801 Highway 197 N., Clarkesville. Inspection time: 12:55 p.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 95; current grade: A; last score: 97. Out of compliance with the following: Warewashing facilities; installed, maintained, used; test strips. Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean. Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used. Insects, rodents and animals not present. Comments: Repair self closure devices on restroom doors. Have vent hood filters cleaned (may need to use more frequent schedule). Must continue professional pest control to eliminate pests. Clean inside/outside of dishwasher thoroughly.
* North Habersham Middle School, 1500 Wall Bridge Road, Clarkesville. Inspection time: 10:10 a.m. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Beautiful! Spotless! Excellent job!
* Clarkesville Elementary School, Highway 115 West, Clarkesville. Inspection time: not listed. Purpose of inspection: routine. Score: 100; current grade: A; last score: 100. Comments: Excellent job!

VIRGINIA: Waynesboro Restaurant Inspections
06.nov.08
News Leader
http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081106/NEWS01/811060321
Papa John's Pizza, No. 577
Facility type: Fast-food restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Oct. 17
Critical violations: Unknown
Noncritical violations: Unknown
*No violations were found during the inspection.
Comments: None
Fried Beans Grill
Facility type: Full-service restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Oct. 17
Critical violations: 1
Noncritical violations: 1
*There was a bowl with no handle being used as a substitute for a scoop in the pan of cooked black beans in the walk-in refrigerator.
Level: Noncritical
Details: Only a proper scoop with a handle or another utensil with a handle may be used for this application.
*There were empty food storage containers placed in the basin of the back kitchen handwashing sink. Also the cold water faucet above the back kitchen handwashing sink basin was not working.
Level: Critical
Details: Both kitchen handwashing sinks must be unobstructed at all times and available for easy use at all times. Both kitchen sinks must have working hot and cold water at all times. The items in the back handwashing sink basin were immediately removed by the establishment management. The cold water at the back handwashing sink needs to be repaired immediately.
Comments: No food temperature problems were observed.
Pizza Hut, No. 022893
Facility type: Full-service restaurant
Inspection type: Routine
Inspection date: Oct. 20
Critical violations: Unknown
Noncritical violations: Unknown
*There was a wooden knife rack in the kitchen.
Level: Noncritical (corrected during inspection)
Details: We do not allow wooden knife racks in food establishments. Because there is no way to clean down in the slots of a wooden knife rack. Replace with a steel easily cleanable knife rack or some other type of easy to keep clean storage container, such a s a steel bowl.
Comments: None

UK: Food safety inspection reports are revealed
06.nov.08
Burton Mail
Jenny Moody
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail-news/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=364407
Seven catering outlets in and around Burton have received star ratings after visits from health inspectors.
All of the outlets, which provide food services, were visited by environmental health staff from East Staffordshire Borough Council as part of the authority's Rate My place scheme, which awards ratings of up to five stars.
The kitchen at Christchurch County Infant School, in Dale Street, Burton, received a maximum five-star rating after a visit on October 22 and inspectors found only two issues, which they said needed rectifying within a month.
Pizza Hut, in High Street, Burton, received a three-star rating after an inspection on October 23, which found eight issues which needed rectifying within two months.
The kitchen at Bearwood House Residential Home, in Bearwood Hill Road, Winshill, received a three-star rating after a visit on October 23, which found 12 issues which needed rectifying within a month.
Druckers Vienna Patisserie, in the town's Coopers Square shopping centre, received a four-star rating after a visit on October 28, which found four issues which needed rectifying within a month.
The Horseshoe Inn, in Main Street, Tatenhill, received a three-star rating after a visit on October 28 which found 15 issues which needed rectifying within a month.
Birds, in High Street, Burton, received a five-star rating after a visit on October 29, which found two issues, one of which needed rectifying immediately and the other within a week.
Precinct Fish Bar, in The Precinct, Stretton, received a three-star rating after a visit on October 29 which found six issues which needed rectifying within a month.
Full reports for each premises can be read at www.ratemyplace.org.uk.

ONTARIO: Restaurant owner says E. coli response has ruined his business
05.nov.08
Hamilton Spectator
Joanna Frketich
http://www.thespec.com/News/article/461783
BURLINGTON -- The co-owner of Johnathan’s Family Restaurant says his thriving business has been destroyed by an E. coli outbreak.
So far it hasn’t been determined whether Greg Tasoulis could have done anything to stop the contaminated food from reaching his customers, making at least three ill. Fifty-two more are awaiting test results.
His restaurant has been closed for a week with no date set for it to reopen. His 30 employees are out a paycheque and at least half of them have kids to support.
Tasoulis, who has a nine-month-old baby of his own, says the ’50s-style diner he bought into three months ago has lost more than $25,000.
“I feel like the stock market, you know, when the numbers go tumbling,” he said.
But what is far worse is that his restaurant’s reputation is in tatters.
“How am I going to get back 5,000 customers?” he asked.
Halton and Niagara public health departments suspect E. coli 0157 got into his restaurant and two in Niagara from a supplier because all of their customers became ill from the same strain.
However, the restaurants have no common suppliers, making it difficult to pinpoint the source.
Niagara public health officials suspect fresh produce in salads and garnishes is most likely to blame, though there have been no firm findings yet — and may never be.
If E. coli was in fresh produce, it would have been difficult for restaurants to prevent illness because the best way to get rid of the bacteria is to cook food properly.
When food isn’t cooked, washing is the best defence but that doesn’t always get rid of it.
“One can be completely out of luck,” acknowledged Dr. Monir Taha, Halton’s associate medical officer of health.

ONTARIO: Restaurant anxious to welcome back customers after E. coli scare
05.nov.08
The Standard
Peter Downs
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1281704
Restaurant owner Louis Pullman was anxiously waiting to fire up the grill again this morning at Niagara-on-the- Lake's Little Red Rooster.
But on the eve of the popular eatery's re-opening, Pullman worried about the lasting impact an E. coli scare could have on business.
"It really took a lot out of us, but hopefully my customers and all my friends will come back and visit this restaurant," he said Tuesday afternoon.
Niagara public health officials suspect tainted produce -- not bad food handling by restaurant staff -- is to blame foranoutbreakof E. coli 0157:H7 that made dozens of diners ill at Little Red Rooster and M. T. Bellies Tap and Grillhouse in Welland.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Niagara had 12 confirmed cases of the illness linked to the two restaurants and 35 suspected cases. Most people became sick between Oct. 19 and Oct. 25.
Little Red Rooster voluntarily closed its doors Oct. 24 after the first two cases surfaced. M. T. Bellies closed Oct. 29.
Another 43 people in Halton have fallen ill in an E. coli outbreak primarily linked to Johnathan's Family Restaurant in Burlington. Three cases are con-firmed E. coli 0157: H7, and one has a similar "fingerprint" or molecular makeup to three cases in Niagara.
Investigators sent 50 food samples and nine swabs from food preparation equipment at Little Red Rooster to the Central Public Health Lab in Toronto for testing. No signs of E. coli bacteria were detected.

NEW YORK: Health Department inspectors put area restaurants under detailed scrutiny
05.nov.08
The Buffalo News
Janice Okun
http://www.buffalonews.com/185/story/484664.html
It is 10 in the morning in the Slip Away Cafe on the sixth floor of the Rath County Office Building, and Marilyn Tuberdyck is reporting for duty. Tuberdyck, a supervising public health sanitarian with the Erie County Deparment of Health and Environmental Services, is going to conduct a restaurant inspection in this privately owned cafeteria- style cafe, and she’s ready to go.
Restaurant cleanliness is always of interest, but it has picked up recently since the highly publicized closing of the China King restaurant in Hamburg, where a deer was being slaughtered in the kitchen.
Health Department officials refused to discuss the China King incident, but senior sanitarian Jeff Jurewicz points out there were many levels of violations. The restaurant was closed because the deer being butchered in the kitchen did not come from an approved source, he said, and the presence of hide and hooves made the kitchen unsanitary. In addition, a cooler in that kitchen was not working. The restaurant was cleared to open Monday.
Tuberdyck’s inspection on this day, however, is just routine. Restaurant inspection is a continually operating program. Last year, the Erie County Health Department conducted 7,394 inspections, issuing 3,717 annual food permits, saying it meets the sanitary code, to institutions where food and drink are served to the public in individual portions.
Inspections are conducted annually, biannually or every other year, depending on degree of risk. The Slip Away is considered high risk because food is cooked ahead of time before it is served. Other high-risk restaurants may serve a mostly elderly clientele or a lot of children.
It is not often that the department shuts down a restaurant, Jurewicz says. Even though 2,585 critical or “red” violations were cited during 2007 inspections — so defined because they could lead to food-borne illness –only 25 restaurants are closed on average each year.
The checklist
Investigators usually arrive unannounced. Slip Away’s manager Sue Jones, however, was notified that a News reporter and photographer were accompanying Tuberdyck. Still, there was a lot to look at and note:
• The employee hand-washing stations were checked to be sure they were operable and that towels and soap were on hand.
• Temperatures were taken constantly to be sure food was not in the danger zone between 45 and 140 degrees, which attracts bacteria.
• Bleach solutions were metered to be sure they contained enough chlorine.
• The microwave was checked, ice machine, freezer and coolers were checked for temperature and cleanliness.
• Pantry shelves were examined to be sure that packaged food was not mixed with cleaning supplies.
• Tuberdyck discovered two unlabeled tubs of spices. “Does anyone have a Sharpie?” she asked. An employee quickly labeled the sides of each tub but that did not satisfy the investigator. “Label the tops too,” she said. “Lids are interchangeable.”
• The dish-washing room was checked. Regulations stipulate that every restaurant must have three sinks — one for washing, one for rinsing, one for sanitizing with proper temperatures and bleach. And that was especially important because no one seemed to know what kind of chemical sanitation the mechanical dishwasher utilized.
Tuberdyck advised the staff to wash utensils by hand until the manufacturer could be contacted. A return visit to check would be scheduled.
• Restrooms are checked for cleanliness.
• The overflow drain in the preparation area was checked — it must flow on the floor if there is blockage, not back up into the sink). The serving counters were inspected. (Only bananas and oranges can be served as is; other fruit must be overwrapped.)

AUSTRALIA: A $100,000 mistake - Can your restaurant afford it?
04.nov.08
Sydney Commercial Kitchens
Malcolm J. Richmond
http://sydneycommercialkitchens.blogspot.com/2008/11/100000-mistake-can-your-restaurant.html
When people walk into your restaurant to eat, they are putting their trust in you. They blindly have faith that you will serve them food that is fresh and safe to eat.
There are several restaurants in Australia right now that are paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties and settlements because they served contaminated food to patrons who became seriously ill and, in one particular case, died.
How can you be sure that the food which comes out of your kitchen is safe to eat?
Even one mistake which leads to customer illness can seriously and permanently damage the reputation of your business.
In most cases, these are mistakes which could be easily avoided.
Salmonella is one of the most common food borne illnesses; it causes diarrhoea, cramping, dehydration and vomiting in those affected. Salmonella is most commonly a result of poor food sanitation and cooking food at insufficient temperatures.
In 2004, food from the Sofia Pizza restaurant sickened at least 33 patrons.
In 2003, 135 people who had become ill as a result of the food served at Thanh Phu in Footscray filed a class action suit.
You can’t assume that this could never happen to your business; be sure to protect your restaurant.
Food safety should be a primary concern for anyone who owns a restaurant or catering business.

ONTARIO: Eateries innocent in E. coli scare: Region
04.nov.08
St. Catharines Standard
Monique Beech
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1278940
Hamilton Spectator
Carmela Fragomeni
http://www.thespec.com/article/460724
Barfblog Post
Two Niagara restaurants appear to be innocent bystanders in a major E. coli outbreak that health officials believe stemmed from tainted lettuce, Niagara Region’s associate medical officer of health says.
Dr. Doug Sider said a food supply problem likely led to the spread of the bacteria that has made 46 people sick and caused Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Little Red Rooster to voluntarily close its doors Oct. 24, and Welland’s
M. T. Bellies Tap & Grillhouse to close its kitchen on Oct. 29.
Extensive interviews with dozens of people who ate at Little Red Rooster, including 80 people who did not become sick, suggest some type of contaminated lettuce or salad component is to blame, Sider said.
There’s no evidence poor food-handling skills led to the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, Sider said.
“All of the evidence is pointing to the fact that the restaurants were, in a way, innocent bystanders of probably some contaminated produce that was distributed.”
Since Oct. 24, 46 people have reported becoming sick. Of those, 12 are confirmed E. coli cases. Most people became sick between Oct. 19 and Oct. 25.
Another 28 people in Burlington have fallen ill in an E. coli outbreak primarily linked to Johnathan’s Family Restaurant on Fairview Street. Three cases are confirmed E. coli O157:H7, and one has a similar “fingerprint” or molecular makeup to several cases in Niagara.
Most of the Burlington cases are from Oct. 10 to Oct. 30.
Niagara and Halton health officials are working together to determine if the cases are linked and to determine the source of the outbreak, Sider said.
The three affected restaurants do not share a common food supplier, which is puzzling to investigators, Sider said.
“That’s why we’re scratching our heads and looking farther upstream. You know, could it be a more central distributor? Places like the Ontario Food Terminal (in Toronto), where a lot of regional or local suppliers buy their produce,” Sider said.
If it is a supply issue, it’s not clear why the outbreak didn’t hit grocery stores or more restaurants.
“The fact that we’ve got these sort of localized areas with a number of people who became ill, frankly, it’s perplexing. I can’t explain it at this point in time.”
Dozens of food and environmental samples taken from Little Red Rooster have come back with no traces of E. coli bacteria.
Halton region has not yet determined the source of Burlington's E. coli outbreak. Dr. Monir Taha, Halton's associate medical officer of health, said because Johnathan's serves a great variety of foods, the source is difficult to sort out.
More laboratory results on the cases under investigation are expected later this week.
The region has widened the time period under investigation to Oct. 10 to Oct. 30.
One person in Burlington was hospitalized for a day or two, but is now out, Taha said.
Johnathan's owner Zaheer Ahmed said it is frustrating awaiting test results.
"If we don't have money coming in, we still have to pay the rent and the bills. It's very hard."
He said he'll likely have to borrow money to keep going.

INDIANA: More to job than only inspections
03.nov.08
The Brazil Times
Jason Moon
http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1475169.html
Bill Hale has worked with the Clay County Health Department since October 1989.
In those 19 years, Hale -- who serves as the Clay County Environmental Health Specialist -- said he's seen marked improvement in restaurant facilities in the county.
Hale's position encompasses more than just restaurant inspections. He said those in the department also inspect all public health complaints, which could include housing or open dumping, among other things.
Clay County does not have an ordinance requiring health officials to conduct restaurant inspections regularly.
Still, part of health department officials' duties include restaurant inspections.
"We don't have a county ordinance and that's what sets the frequency," Hale told The Brazil Times. "What we have under Indiana Code is the legal power to inspect.
"We've always tried to do it once a year."
When he arrived in the county, Hale said there were approximately 160 restaurants. However, now he said now there are approximately 80 restaurants county-wide that are inspected. That number does not include convenience stores or school buildings, which Hale inspects personally. He said the department also inspects the sheriff's department.
In 2004, the department hired an individual who conducted restaurant inspections for nearly two years. When that person left the organization, another was hired and worked at the department until earlier this year.
The department recently hired a new person who is undergoing training to conduct inspections.
"She is in the process of going through the training at the present time," Hale said.
He added she should be completed with the necessary training in November and he has 10 establishments that will be inspected prior to that.
Hale, who previously worked in the health field in Ohio and Illinois, said he wished the county had an ordinance for more regularity regarding inspections of establishments such as restaurants.

KENTUCKY: Restaurant inspections for July 23-Oct. 28, according to Barren River District Health Department, are as follows:
02.nov.08
Bowling Green Daily News
http://bgdailynews.com/articles/2008/11/02/news/for_the_record/kitchen_inspections/kitchen.txt
Community Action Resources & Development, Center Street, passed; score 100.
Target, 160 American Ave., follow-up required because dock door platform had the seals/gaskets missing on same areas; score 96. Passed follow-up inspection; score 100.
Cosmos, 1751 Scottsville Road, passed; score 99.
Firehouse Pizza, 1703 U.S. 31-W By-Pass, follow-up required because dough mixer and can opener blade were not clean or sanitized; score 90. Passed follow-up inspection; score 98.
Taco Bell, 2200 Stonehenge Drive, follow-up required because inside of ice machine lid was not clean or sanitized; sanitizer was toxic in the three-compartment sink; some pans and one ladle were not clean or sanitized; score 73. Passed follow-up inspection; score 92.
The Sunshine House, North Mill Avenue, follow-up required because there were two distressed cans of mandarin oranges in the stock room; score 95. Passed immediate follow-up inspection; score 100.
Crossroads Restaurant, 4767 Scottsville Road, follow-up required because dishwasher didn’t dispense sanitizer; score 92. Passed follow-up inspection; score 96.
Sonic, 3106 Nashville Road, passed; score 96.
Mercadito Hispano, 204 Woodford, follow-up required because there was a spray bottle not labeled; score 94. Passed immediate follow-up inspection; score 99.
Lil Redz, 111 Old Morgantown Road, follow-up required because three-compartment sink had no sanitizer solution in the third compartment; score 85.
Spillway Bar & Grill, 2195 Old Louisville Road, passed; score 100.
St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 434 Church St., follow-up required because there were several dented cans; score 95. Passed immediate follow-up inspection; score 100.
Bowling Green Parks Community Center, 225 E. Third Ave., passed; score 99.
Puerto Vallarta Mexican, 741 Campbell Lane, follow-up required because rice was at improper temperatures; score 90. Passed immediate follow-up inspection; score 95.
Lonestar Steakhouse-Saloon, 2425 Scottsville Road, follow-up required because three-compartment sink sanitizer was above 500 ppm; score 95. Passed immediate follow-up inspection; score 99.
Houchens, North Gate Shopping Center, follow-up required because sanitizer was at <200 ppm quaternary in wiping cloth solution; score 94. Passed immediate follow-up inspection; score 98.
Drury Inn, 3250 Scottsville Road, follow-up required because there were two spray bottles of chemicals not labeled; score 94. Passed immediate follow-up inspection; score 99.
Minit Mart, 4455 Russellville Road, passed; score 96.
Peanut House, 106 Creekwood Drive, passed; score 99.
— Restaurants are inspected at least once every six months by Barren River District Health Department inspectors who use a 44-item checklist to evaluate a restaurant’s cleanliness, food handling and storage.
Follow-up inspections are done, if needed.
A restaurant has 10 days to correct its problem if it scores below an 85 or is cited for a critical violation.

ONTARIO: Southern Ont. E. coli outbreaks continue to grow
01.nov.08
Canwest News Service
Mike Barber
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=93928378-2ecf-4bf0-9675-dbb72f28d637
Health authorities in southwestern Ontario's Niagara region have now investigated 40 cases of E. coli contamination, and 12 of these people have been confirmed to have had been infected by a harmful strain of the bacterium that led to the closure of two area restaurants.
Niagara Region Public Health said 21 of the cases under investigation have been linked to the Little Red Rooster eatery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Another 14 cases originated at M.T. Bellies in nearby Welland, Ont. The other five cases have yet to be linked to any food establishment.
None of the infected people are currently hospitalized.
The molecular fingerprint on the strain of E. coli O157 found in Niagara has been confirmed to be the same as one that turned up recently in Burlington, Ont.
In that city, located between Hamilton and Toronto, two cases have been traced back to Johnathan's Family Restaurant, said Mary Anne Carson, speaking for the Halton Region Health Department. Johnathan's was closed by health authorities Thursday to allow investigators to search for a source of the outbreak.
Since then, 15 people have contacted health officials to report symptoms of possible E. coli infection, Carson said, adding she expects more calls as news of the latest outbreak spreads through the city over the weekend.
Meanwhile, provincial health officials, through Toronto's Central Public Health Laboratory, are hunting for a link between the two southwestern Ontario outbreaks, Health Ministry spokesman Andrew Morrison said.
But, he added, the genetic fingerprint found in the samples is very rare in Ontario.
In the northern Ontario city of North Bay, meanwhile, authorities have investigated 237 cases of E. coli infection, and 46 of them have been confirmed as tied to a popular Harvey's fast-food restaurant.
But the particular strain of the bacterium that has kept the North Bay restau

E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks close 4 ONTARIO restaurants
01.nov.08
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/11/articles/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7-outbreaks-close-4-ontario-restaurants/index.html
At least one media outlet is reporting this morning that outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 in southern Ontario have been linked by DNA fingerprinting.
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_28712.aspx
Dr. Robin Williams, medical officer of Health for Niagara Region, said,
"We are trying to track through the supply and the source of the foods ... we're not just looking at the restaurants (involved) we're also looking at the cross-link between distributors.”
So far 208 food samples have been taken from those restaurants for analysis
The Little Red Rooster in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., was closed last Friday to let Niagara Region Public Health officials investigate potential sources of contamination. On Tuesday, M.T. Bellies in nearby Welland, Ont., was closed. The number of sick related to these two eateries has climbed to 31, with nine confirmed.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=44d6dcf6-5b26-4d77-b8d1-11041a5d84cb
Thursday afternoon, Johnathan's Family Restaurant of Burlington, Ontario, after the Halton Region Health Department linked several new cases of E. coli O157:H7 to the '50s-style diner.
Owner Greg Tasoulis told the Toronto Star yesterday he had no option.
"A health department representative came and said `I want you to close the restaurant down.' … How do they know it doesn't come from the lettuce I got from our supplier. What if it's not us? The cost is tremendous to us ... over 5,000 people come through here in a week.”
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/527981
An outbreak at a Harvey's fast-food restaurant in the central Ontario city of North Bay has led to 237 cases of E. coli O157:H7, of which 46 are laboratory confirmed. At this time there is no link between the southern Ontario outbreak and the North Bay outbreak.
http://www.healthunit.biz/mediarelease_10312008.asp

TEXAS: Leger's restaurant report card
01.nov.08
KFDM News
Bill Leger
http://www.kfdm.com/articles/mexican_28595___article.html/acapulco_grill.html
This week's restaurant inspection scores come to us from the Beaumont Health Department.
#1. ACAPULCO MEXICAN GRILL/3925 DOWLEN RD GRADE=76
We begin with Acapulco Mexican Grill. Inspector Wilhelm found dishes were not being sanitized to kill germs, soap and paper towels were needed for proper handwashing and the handsink needed to be fixed. Acapulco Mexican Grill in the Kroger Shopping Center on Dowlen gets a 76.
#2. LA CASITA 9297 COLLEGE/GRADE=77
Now to La Casita on College. Inspector Duriso found potatoes sitting on the table at an unsafe temperature, an employee was handling money and then stirred food without proper handwashing and they were using the wrong procedure to wash dishes. La Casita gets a 77.
#3. GUADALAJARA MEXICAN RESTAURANT 4414 DOWLEN/GRADE=80
Next is Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant. Inspector Duriso found shrimp sitting in the sink which could cause it to spoil. There were also dangling earrings and rough jewelry which could lead to the spread of germs and the microwave was dirty. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant gets an 80.
#4.TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 1970 IH 10 SOUTH/GRADE=82
and finally Inspector Scott checked out Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse on I-10 South. The sushi refrigerators were not cooling properly, there were many gnats at the bar because the trash had not been dumped, there were two sinks without hot water which is in violation of food safety rules.
NEW YORK PIZZA AND PASTA
790 NECHES ST.
GRADE=90
HOG WILD
270 CROCKETT
GRADE=93
SONIC DRIVE IN 2
425 23RD
GRADE=94
KASIAN KITCHEN
5540 COLLEGE ST.
GRADE=93
HOOTER'S RESTAURANT
850 IH 10 SOUTH
GRADE=95
TASTY CREAM DONUT
6392 PHELAN BLVD
GRADE=96
PAPPADEAUX SEAFOOD KITCHEN
4040 IH 10 SOUTH
GRADE=96
FAT MACS SMOKEHOUSE
5555 CALDER
GRADE=96
BLUE RIBBON AWARDS
KYOTO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
3851 PHELAN BLVD
GRADE=100
BASKIN ROBBINS
4030 DOWLEN
GRADE=100
MADISON'S
4020 DOWLEN
GRADE=100